OCP Group considers building fertilizer plant in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, April 25, 2016 (FBC) – Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Group, a global leader in the phosphate industry, has revealed interest to build a fertilizer plant in Ethiopia during talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn in Addis Ababa.

Hailemariam received Dr. Mostafa Terrab, Chairman and CEO of OCP Group at his office today where the two sides had fruitful discussions, according to Dr. Alemu Semie, State Minister of Industry who attended the discussion.

The high level talks were mainly focused on supplying fertilizer to the Ethiopian market with a reasonable price, which will also see the OCP Group build a fertilizer factory in Ethiopia.

It was indicated that OCP will supply fertilizer products compatible with Ethiopian soil.

The two sides also exchanged ideas on ways of building agro-processing factory in Ethiopia that will help export processed agricultural products to the international market.

From the Ethiopian side, efforts are underway to ease bureaucratic hurdles of doing business in the country.

Currently, OCP in collaboration with the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), is engaged in a two million Dollars pilot test project which will be finalized within two and half years, the minister told journalists.

OCP Group Chairman and CEO, Dr. Mostafa Terrab on his part said he took note of the phosphate demand of the country from the discussion with the Prime Minister.

Dr. Mostafa said Ethiopia and Morocco are endowed with a vast resource of phosphate, nitrogen and potash which needs a combined effort to put into proper use.

With more than 90 years of history serving agriculture, OCP is the world’s leading producer of phosphate rock and phosphoric acid as well as one of the leading global fertilizer players.