The management of Dangote Cement Plc has announced plans to commission its new 3 million metric tonnes per annum (3Mta) grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire by the third quarter of 2025. This strategic move is expected to enhance the company’s market dominance across Africa and significantly boost its export capacity.
In a note to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Arvind Pathak, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement, expressed optimism about the company’s expanding export operations, highlighting an 18.2% growth in export volumes from Nigeria. “We successfully completed 18 clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon,” Pathak said. “This growth highlights the increasing significance of our pan-African footprint and our strong commitment to regional trade and self-sufficiency.”
Pathak reiterated the company’s focus on long-term value creation, pointing to strategic investments that have helped improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. One of such initiatives is the phased delivery of 1,600 additional CNG-powered trucks, aimed at lowering logistics expenses and promoting environmental sustainability. “This development marks a significant step in strengthening our cost architecture,” he said.
Reflecting on the company’s second-quarter financial performance, Pathak described the results as a demonstration of Dangote Cement’s resilience and operational excellence in the face of fluctuating macroeconomic indicators. “Group EBITDA rose by an impressive 41.8% to ₦944.9 billion, while Group profit surged by 174.1%,” he said. “This is a clear outcome of our disciplined execution, strong cost leadership, and years of strategic investment.”
As Africa’s leading cement producer, Dangote Cement boasts a total installed capacity of 52.0Mta across the continent, with 35.25Mta in Nigeria alone. The company operates several major plants in Nigeria, including:
- Obajana Plant (Kogi State): The largest in Africa with 16.25Mta capacity across five lines
- Ibese Plant (Ogun State): 12Mta capacity across four lines
- Gboko Plant (Benue State): 4Mta capacity
- Okpella Plant (Edo State): 3Mta capacity
Thanks to these massive investments, Nigeria has transitioned from being a net importer of cement to a net exporter, with Dangote Cement playing a central role in regional supply through clinker exports.
Beyond Nigeria, Dangote Cement maintains a strong footprint in other African countries, operating plants and grinding facilities in:
- Cameroon (1.5Mta clinker grinding)
- Congo (1.5Mta)
- Ghana (2.0Mta clinker grinding and import)
- Ethiopia (2.5Mta)
- Senegal (1.5Mta)
- Sierra Leone (0.5Mta import)
- South Africa (2.8Mta)
- Tanzania (3.0Mta)
- Zambia (1.5Mta)
As Dangote Cement moves closer to commissioning its Côte d’Ivoire plant, the company is poised to further cement its role as a key driver of industrial development and intra-African trade, reinforcing its vision of a self-sufficient and interconnected continent.
