The Abraaj Group (Abraaj or the Group), a leading investor operating in global growth markets, today announced that it has acquired a minority stake in Indorama Fertilizers B.V. (Indorama Fertilizers), the largest urea fertilizer manufacturer in Sub-Saharan Africa, through its Funds. The stake was purchased from Indorama Holdings B.V. Netherlands, a wholly owned subsidiary of Indorama Corporation (Indorama), one of the world’s fastest growing petrochemical companies with operations in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.
Indorama Fertilizers operates a world-class, 1.4 million metric tonnes per annum urea manufacturing facility based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The plant has been developed to global environmental, social and construction standards. It plays a key role in supporting the agricultural sector in Nigeria by providing a reliable supply of fertilizers for local farmers, thereby enabling import substitution and supporting the diversification needs of the Nigerian economy. Indorama Fertilizers is also advantageously located to serve neighboring West African countries and key Western hemisphere markets, including North America, South America and Europe.
The fertilizer industry is expected to experience long-term demand growth as increases in populations and incomes drive demand for food. Urea is the most widely used fertilizer globally and continues to grow in market share due to its high nutrient content and ease of handling and storage. Within this context, Indorama Fertilizers is uniquely positioned to become a global fertilizer leader, given its execution capabilities, competitive production costs, and the strength of its management team. Indorama Fertilizers will establish Nigeria’s reputation as a key producer and exporter of fertilizer, channelling foreign exchange into the country, while also enabling Nigeria to meet the significant requirements of the domestic fertilizer market.
Abraaj, which has been investing in Africa for the past two decades, will use its expertise and networks to support Indorama Fertilizer’s market penetration and future expansion plans, as well as help ensure best-in-class corporate governance.
Commenting on the investment, Arif Naqvi, Founder and Group Chief Executive, The Abraaj Group, said: “This is a landmark transaction for Abraaj in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are privileged to be partnering with Indorama Corporation to create a global fertilizer leader in Africa. Since establishment, Indorama Fertilizers has led the local market in an industry characterized by high levels of demand and insufficient supply of quality fertilizer in the region. Having successfully invested in the fertilizer business in North Africa, we look forward to leveraging that know-how and working with the management team in developing the company’s route-to-market infrastructure, build its network and support its capacity expansion and product diversification plans in the region.”
Commenting on the investment, Sri Prakash Lohia, Founder and Group Chairman, Indorama Corporation, said: “We are pleased to welcome The Abraaj Group as an investor in our fertilizer business as we endeavor to create a world-class manufacturing and distribution network for fertilizers in the African continent, to meet the needs of underserved farmers and help propel the growth of the agricultural sector even further.”
The Abraaj Group has been present in Africa for two decades and deployed c. US$3bn on the continent to date in a range of sectors including healthcare, financial services, logistics, consumer goods, and food and beverage. In 2015, Abraaj raised US$1.3bn for its Africa focused-Funds.
-ends-
For more information on Abraaj please contact:
Mitali Atal
Director - Communications
The Abraaj Group
T: + 971 45064588
Iain Gibson
Finsbury
T: +971 (0)55 338 7748
Aditi Mane
Finsbury
T: +971 (0)50 7384146
About The Abraaj Group
The Abraaj Group (Abraaj) is a leading investor, purpose-built for operating in the growth markets of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Turkey. Employing over 300 people, Abraaj has over 20 offices spread across five regions with hubs in Dubai, Istanbul, Mexico City, Nairobi and Singapore. The Group currently manages c. US$10bn across targeted investment strategies.
Abraaj has realized US$6.3bn from over 80 full exits, and Funds managed by the Group have made over 170 investments across a range of sectors including consumer, energy, financials, healthcare and utilities. The Group is committed to the highest environmental, stakeholder engagement and corporate governance standards and is a signatory to the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment and the United Nations Global Compact. Abraaj’s founder, Arif Naqvi, was appointed to the United Nations Global Compact Board by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2012 and to the Interpol Foundation Board in 2014.
This publication is issued by Abraaj Capital Limited (ACLD or the Firm), a member of The Abraaj Group that is authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Several Group members are regulated by a number of international regulatory authorities including the DFSA under whose rules ACLD has issued this publication.
About Indorama Corporation
Indorama Corporation, Singapore (Indorama) is one of the world’s leading petrochemicals producers with its subsidiaries and associates having a global manufacturing footprint in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and North America producing Polyolefins, Fertilizers, PET Resin, Polyester Feedstocks, Fibers, Synthetic Disposable Gloves, and Spun Yarns.
« Back to Member News