THE Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) has presented its capabilities in the African continent including its readiness to meet the growing demand for fertilizers in Africa and the world, at the 9th annual Argus Africa Fertilizer Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last Feb. 26- 28. The conference attracted over 520 participants representing leading companies in the fertilizer industry and distributors in about 65 countries.

Ma'aden, a platinum sponsor of the event, showcased its key mega projects and phosphate fertilizer products during the conference exhibition.

Speaking at the conference, Khalid Al Rowais, SVP of Phosphate Business Unit, discussed the promising opportunities in the agricultural sector and fertilizers as well as some of the challenges in African markets. He presented Ma'aden's capabilities, highlighting the company’s geographical advantage and strategic presence across Africa, reliability of supply and capability to deliver a variety of products and services.

Al-Rowais said that Ma'aden is capable of increasing its market share and meeting the demands of the global markets with its diversified phosphate products. He underlined that Ma’aden, seeks to be a strong and active partner in the development of the agriculture sector by providing high quality fertilizer products.

Al-Rowais stated that Ma'aden is undertaking several initiatives in Africa to educate African farmers and improve their knowledge of fertilizer applications.

Ma'aden's participation in the conference is in line with its efforts to strengthen its presence in international markets, including the major phosphate markets in Africa. With its growing market share especially in East Africa, Ma’aden considers Africa an important market for its phosphate products. Twenty four per cent (24%) of the world's agricultural land is in Africa, making Africa a breadbasket for future global food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Africa's agricultural production has recently grown by 18 per cent, indicating the growing need for phosphate fertilizers in the continent.

Ma'aden's phosphate fertilizer products reach 30 countries around the world. The SR21 billion ($5.6 bn) Ma’aden Phosphate Company operates at two primary sites, the Al Jalamid mine located in the North of the Kingdom and the industrial complexes in Ras Al Khair in the East, and has a total production capacity of 3 million tons of phosphate fertilizers per year.

In July 2017, the company announced the start of trial production of its mega project in Wa’ad Al Shamal. The project has the capacity to produce 3 million tons of phosphate fertilizers annually.

Ma'aden has a total investment of SR30 billion ($8 bn) in Wa’ad Al Shamal which includes several plants and facilities with a production capacity of 3 million tons per year of phosphate fertilizers. Ma'aden is also developing a third phosphate project, which is expected to be completed in 2024, bringing Ma’aden’s total production capacity for phosphate fertilizers to 9 million tons per year. — SG