News
OCP ,Fortescue To Partner To Develop Green Energy, Hydrogen And Ammonia In Morocco
OCP Group, a global leader in plant nutrition and phosphate-based fertilizers, and Fortescue Energy, part of global green energy, metals and technology company Fortescue Ltd (Fortescue), announced a landmark Joint Venture (JV) in Morocco.
This equal partnership aims to supply green hydrogen, ammonia, and fertilizers to Morocco, Europe, and international markets. It includes the potential development of manufacturing facilities and an R&D hub to advance the rapidly growing renewableenergy industry in Morocco.
Fortescue and OCP Group, leaders in iron ore and phosphate respectively, are united in their goal to reach their emissions reductions targets. They share a common vision for the pivotal role of green hydrogen and ammonia in forging a sustainable future globally.
The partners have laid out proposed plans for four cornerstone projects in Morocco:” Large-scale integrated green ammonia and green fertilizer production capacity, including renewables, energy generation, electrolysis, ammonification and fertilizer production.
Manufacturing of green technology and equipment; An R&D and Technology Hub, located alongside Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) near Marrakech, to bolster the JV, the ecosystem and other players, with
research in renewable energy, green hydrogen and minerals processing; and
Collaboration of corporate venture capital funds to drive investment in key technology advancements.
The partners’ objective is to supply green hydrogen and ammonia for use both as sources of green energy and in the manufacture of carbon-neutral and customized fertilizers that are accessible and affordable for farmers around the world.
Mostafa Terrab, Chairman and CEO of OCP Group, said: “Our strategic partnership with Fortescue is a testimony to our joint commitment to decarbonisation, driving the
development of cutting-edge facilities and delivering competitive renewable energy, products and technology.
This is a key step towards fulfilling our vision of simultaneously ensuring global food security and combating climate change.”
Dr Andrew Forrest AO, Fortescue Executive Chair and Founder said: “Together, Fortescue and OCP will build a world-leading and globally competitive platform to accompany Morocco’s journey into a green energy production, manufacturing, and industrial powerhouse.
Together, we will be a key originator and green corridor into Europe and to and from theAtlantic basin.
Morocco will be a major player in the global energy transition given it is home to some of the world’s most prospective wind and solar resources, two large coastlines, and is in close proximity to Europe and the Americas.
We are proud to partner with OCP, a global industrial leader, with a shared ambitious commitment to invest in renewable energy, products and technology to reduce global
emissions.”
Fortescue Energy CEO, Mark Hutchinson added: “OCP and Fortescue are fully alignedon their ambitions. We intend to create in Morocco one of the world’s leading integrated renewable energy, manufacturing, and technology enterprises, supplying not only a large
and growing domestic market for green products, but also with the potential to supply other countries and continents.
This is a very significant moment for Fortescue, OCP Group and Morocco as we help revolutionize the way we power our planet and diversify the world’s future energy security, while creating thousands of jobs and industries in Morocco.”
These proposed projects will also leverage the expertise of INNOVX, a multi-sectoral venture platform that is dedicated to building innovative and sustainable businesses,and contributing to creating emerging ecosystems with a strong local impact.
Today’s agreement underlines OCP Group’s and Fortescue’s shared vision to help make Morocco a green energy production, manufacturing and industrial powerhouse, with significant long-term benefits for Morocco.
The venture is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Former governor of Sokoto State and current Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has reaffirmed his party’s commitment to reclaiming power in 2027.
Speaking on Monday at the launch of a Ramadan aid distribution programme, Tambuwal assured supporters that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would regain its “stolen mandate” in the next general elections.
The initiative, aimed at assisting fasting Muslims during Ramadan, will benefit 30,000 households across Sokoto State.
Tambuwal noted that this effort was in addition to food assistance programmes being carried out by PDP lawmakers at both state and federal levels.
“As you are aware, many people have lost their lives and are no longer with us. By His grace, we are here to witness another Ramadan and provide support to our people once again,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to party leaders and supporters for their commitment, stressing that the PDP remained united in Sokoto.
“We are one big, united family. We shall continue to work together towards reclaiming what has been taken away from us.
In the last elections, our mandate was forcefully stolen, but we are restrategising and reorganising. By the grace of Allah, we will reclaim it in 2027,” Tambuwal declared.
Sokoto State PDP chairman, Comrade Bello Goronyo, echoed similar sentiments, thanking party members for their loyalty.
He criticised the current government, attributing the economic hardships faced by Nigerians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We urge the people of Sokoto and Nigerians at large to free themselves from the misgovernance of the APC in 2027,” Goronyo stated.
The PDP’s Ramadan assistance programme includes the distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other essential grains to youth and women-led organisations across the state.
Senator Shehu Sani has downplayed ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the move won’t impact the ruling party’s fortune in the coming elections billed for 2027.
El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State on Monday left the APC, a party he was a founding member, and pitched his tent with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a move pundits believe will change the political texture of the country.
But Sani, who is also from Kaduna like El-Rufai, believes the former Minister of the FCT holds no political relevance.
“Well, first of all, for those of us from Kaduna State, it [his defection] is a good riddance because he stands as a liability to the party in the state,” the former Kaduna Central senator said on Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, citing the APC’s losses under El-Rufai.
“I can back this with facts. In 2015, APC had two senators. By 2023, all the senatorial zones were taken over by PDP. Out of the 14 House of Representatives seats in Kaduna State, by the time he left [office as governor], almost nine of the seats were won by PDP, two by the Labour Party, and then three by APC. With him as a governor, the APC also lost the presidential election in Kaduna State.”
El-Rufai had cited the party’s departure from progressive ideals as his reason for defection.
“At this point in my political journey, I have come to the conclusion that I must seek another political platform for the pursuit of the progressive values I cherish,” the former governor said.
The former FCT minister was a founding member of the ruling party. He was instrumental to APC’s victory in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 presidential elections. His relationship with the party, however, soured after he was not screened for a ministerial role.
But Sani, who recently returned to the APC, accused El-Rufai of destabilizing the party and believes his defection offers an opportunity for the APC to rebuild and come out stronger.
“So, you can see that by the time he left, already the party was an unpopular platform in the state. So his exit now is an opportunity,” the APC chieftain said.
“For the governor and party leaders of the state to embrace the people of the state and to reconfigure and reset the party towards the next election.”
Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to step aside until an investigation into Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims against him is concluded.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, had accused the senate president of sexually harassing her.
The allegation followed a heated argument between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan over seating arrangement.
Subsequently, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
The senator was thereafter suspended for six months.
In a statement on Monday, Ezekwesili demanded that Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, should preside over a session tasked with conducting a swift and independent investigation into Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition.
The former minister said the senate should reverse the suspension of the senator and retract all punitive measures imposed on her.
“The senate president steps aside, and the deputy senate president immediately convenes a session that rescinds the unconstitutional and illegal suspension of senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and reverses all punitive measures imposed on her so she resumes her duties as a duly elected senator representing her Kogi central constituency and gets the fair hearing due her within senate processes,” Ezekwesili wrote on X.
“Resolve and announce that a prompt independent investigation into the resubmitted petition by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is imperative and swiftly request ICPC to designate the Independent Investigation consistent with the ICPC Act which designates sexual harassment as one of the corrupt practices it can investigate and prosecute.”
Ezekwesili urged the senate to restructure its ethics committee in response to the allegation, harping on the need to appoint an independent investigator to thoroughly examine the matter.
“Reconstitute the senate ethics and privileges committee under a new chairperson with the mandate to commence a public hearing on the resubmitted petition on sexual harassment by the senate president Akpabio,” she said.
“The committee receives informed recommendations from the Independent Investigation by ICPC-appointed investigator and appearances/oral and written testimonies and evidences from the two parties to the matter — Senators Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio respectively.”
She advised that the findings of the committee should be referred to the attorney-general of the federation for action.
“The senate in plenary receives the report findings and recommendations of the ethics committee, debates and refers the matter to the attorney general as may be appropriate,” she added.
“The senate and HoR partner with women in Nigeria groups and other relevant stakeholders like NBA and Nigeria police to launch a comprehensive diagnostic review of laws, regulations, policies and procedures that prevent SGBV and protect the rights of women in public and private spaces, identify existing barriers and gaps, develop and implement specific action plan on a fast track timeline.”