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Indorama Gets $1.25bn Loan to Ramp up Fertilizer Production in Nigeria
By Adedapo Adesanya
Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited Nigeria has received a $1.25 billion financing package to ramp up its fertilizer production and develop a port terminal for exports, supporting food production and food security across regional and international markets, while fostering job creation in Nigeria.
The investment came from the International Finance Corporation (IFC ) alongside the African Development Bank (AfDB), Bangkok Bank, British International Investment, Citibank, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), DZ Bank, and Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF).
Others include Rand Merchant Bank, Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO), Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank), Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), the Standard Bank Group, Standard Chartered Bank, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
The financing package will fund Indorama’s plans to develop a third nitrogenous urea fertilizer production line and a new shipping terminal at its operations in Port Harcourt. The new production line is expected to have an annual capacity of 1.4 million metric tons of urea, one of the most widely used fertilizers worldwide.
The $1.25 billion facility includes a $215.5 million loan from IFC’s account; a $94.5 million loan through the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP); and $940 million financing mobilized from other development finance institutions and commercial banks. Joining IFC as joint mandated lead arranger and lender is Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Singapore Branch.
As part of the project, Indorama will implement a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions strategy to reduce emissions at its petrochemical complex by 32 per cent by 2026, including by significantly reducing gas flaring and other improvements. This strategy aligns with Nigeria’s pledge to eliminate routine gas flaring by 2030 under the World Bank-led Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership.
Indorama’s two operational urea fertilizer lines serve Nigeria’s domestic market, supporting the country’s agricultural sector, which accounts for a quarter of its GDP and employs about a third of its labour force. The new production line and terminal, which will help meet the growing global demand for fertilizer, are expected to create up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Speaking on this, Mr Amit Lohia, Group Vice Chairman, Indorama Corporation, said, “We are grateful to our financial partners for their unwavering support and confidence. IFC has been a key partner for Indorama in Nigeria for almost two decades.
“This financing demonstrates the strong collaboration and alignment of interests between the public and private sectors to drive sustainable development and create value for all stakeholders.
“Indorama remains dedicated to playing a vital role in supporting global food security by ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality fertilizers in Africa, and beyond while contributing to Nigeria’s broader economic objectives.”
Manish Mundra, Group Director for Africa, Indorama Corporation, said, “The establishment of this fertilizer plant underscores Indorama’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s industrial growth, economic diversification, and leveraging its strategic geographic location. This landmark financing represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a major player in the global fertilizer market.
“With the addition of this third line, Nigeria is prepared to significantly ramp up its export capacity, thereby enhancing its position as a key exporter of fertilizers to Africa and the world. Furthermore, the establishment of this fertilizer plant will not only address critical issues such as broader food security but will also stimulate agricultural growth and create employment opportunities in Nigeria.”
Mr Sérgio Pimenta, IFC Vice President for Africa, said, “Reliable access to high-quality fertilizer is essential for food production and food security around the world. IFC’s investment in Indorama, along with African, Asian, European, and American partners, signals our joint commitment to support the agriculture sector, Nigeria’s economy, and the expansion of Indorama, an important supplier in the global food chain.”
Ms Monika Beck, Member of DEG’s Management Board, said “Indorama is a long-term client, as DEG has been the first DFI to finance the company. This recent investment, again, underlines our trustworthy cooperation. DEG’s special contribution to this transaction lies in trainings for smallholder farmers as part of the DeveloPPP programme. IFC and DEG have been financing partners for 30 years.”
Mr Benson Adenuga, Head of Office and Coverage Director for Nigeria at British International Investment, said, “We are delighted to partner with IFC, other impact investors, and the development finance community on this project, which will boost fertilizer production in Nigeria, support food security and create jobs. Our ongoing commitment to back Indorama’s expansion will also help to elevate Nigeria’s export potential and support the diversification of its economy.”
Mr Ousmane Fall, Acting Director, Industrial and Trade Development Department at the African Development Bank (AfDB), said “The AfDB is proud of its continued partnership with Indorama, the IFC and other lenders on this critical project as it is aligned with our strategic priorities to Feed Africa and Industrialize Africa while generating significant development outcomes in Nigeria.”
In addition, Mr Freddy Ong, Head of Client Coverage, Singapore, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered Bank, said, “We are pleased to participate in this transaction, one of the many we have been a part of during our long-standing relationship with Indorama since 1997.
“We have been proud partners to Indorama across Standard Chartered’s footprint markets and especially at Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, where we have remained engaged since its inception.
“With this latest financing, we look forward to the successful completion of Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals’ facility and the expansion of its urea fertilizer capacity that will help address global food security and strengthen its position as a leading supplier of essential materials in the global food ecosystem.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One Mr Osamudiamen Philip Ikilo has been handed a two-year imprisonment for a Bitcoin fraud to the tune of $19,400.
He was found guilty and convicted of the crime by Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, the state capital.
Delivering the judgment on Monday, March 23, 2026, the judge sentenced Mr Ikilo to two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.
The convict got into trouble when he offered to assist his victim, Ms Cynthia Imade Alile, to convert her 0.52092582 Bitcoin worth $19,400, but failed to remit the money after the conversion.
Ms Alile petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which looked into the matter and brought him before the court for prosecution on a one-count charge of stealing.
“That you Osamudiamen Philip Ikilo (m) sometime in March 2024 within the jurisdiction of this court did steal Bitcoin worth the sum of $19,400 belonging to one Cynthia Imade Alile by fraudulently converting the said sum to your use, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law 2022 and punishable under Section 294 of the same Law,” the charge read.
When the charge was read to him during arraignment by the EFCC, the defendant pleaded not guilty, setting the stage for trial.
In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, A. S. Bala-Ribah, called two witnesses and also tendered documents which were admitted by the court. On his part, the defendant called two witnesses, including himself.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to a Lagos socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, and her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited, to the federal government of Nigeria.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) established that the foreign currency was proceeds of fraud and unlawful activities.
The judge further held that Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited failed to establish how it came by the money, saying the anti-money laundering agency satisfied all requirements for the funds to be classified as proceeds of fraud and to be forfeited to the appropriate authority.
He dismissed the claims that the $13 million was gifts received into the Oceangate Engineering Company by Ms Achimugu, adding that the woman never came to the court to show cause why the huge amount of money should not be forfeited to the government.
He held that no single person who gave the monetary gift to Aisha Achimugu to the tune of $13 million was called to testify.
The judge further held that the burden to establish genuine ownership of the money was not established by the applicant to counter the claims of the anti- graft agency that the money was the proceeds of fraud based on its investigation.
According to the judge, Oceangate Engineering Company did not show the business it undertook that fetched it the money, nor did it show whether any payment was made to it by any of its customers.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the Federal Government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has inaugurated a 17-member Planning Committee to coordinate the National Flag-Off of the Energise Commercialisation Now (ECoN) Initiative, a flagship programme aimed at transforming research outputs into economic value.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to convert Nigeria’s vast research and innovation outputs into market-ready products, scalable enterprises, and job-creating opportunities.
He noted that ECoN will mobilise stakeholders nationwide to identify bankable innovations and accelerate their transition from laboratories to the marketplace, stressing that the country must move beyond theoretical research to practical solutions that drive industrial growth and national prosperity.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, had earlier briefed the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, on the initiative and proposed her as a champion of the programme, with the national flag-off scheduled for Kano State.
He explained that Kano was deliberately selected due to its historic role as a commercial and industrial hub, offering strong potential to attract investment, stimulate enterprise, and create jobs.
The Committee is chaired by the Minister, with the Permanent Secretary as Co-Chairman, while the Director-General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, NBRDA, and the Director-General, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, SHESTCO, serve as Alternate Chairmen.
Members include Professor Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Dr Jummai Adamu, Dr (Mrs) Obiageli Amadiobi, Dr Kabiru Mu’azu, Dr Anwal Mustapha, Engr Ibiam Oguejiofo, Mr Moses Fatogun, Mr Adamu Sulaiman (a representative of SMEDAN), Dr Prince Lawrence Eze, Mr Sani Garba, Dr Muhammad Mustapha, Dr Chioma Okeke, Mr Luther Onyemkpa, Mr Charles Egumgbe, and Dr Nwankwo Nnenna serving as Secretary.
The national flag-off is proposed for late April or early May 2026, subject to Presidential approval.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to positioning innovation as a key driver of economic diversification and sustainable development, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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