IFC And Partners Back Indorama In Nigeria With $1.25 Billion For Fertilizer Production, Food Sector

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 financing package includes a $215.5 million loan from IFC's own 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.

Other lenders contributing to the financing include the African Development Bank, Bangkok Bank, British International Investment, Citibank, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), DZ Bank, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), 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).

As part of the project, Indorama will implement a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions strategy to reduce emissions at its petrochemical complex by 32 percent 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 labor force. The new production line and terminal, which will help meet growing global demand for fertilizer, are expected to create up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs. 

The investment in Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited is part of IFC's strategy to promote diversified, inclusive growth and job creation in Nigeria, where IFC supports the manufacturing, agribusiness, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and financial services sectors.