Faith Nyasuguta
Dangote Cement Plc has announced it will commission a new 3 million tonnes per annum (Mta) grinding plant in Cote d’Ivoire before the end of 2025. The plant, located in the Yopougon industrial zone near Abidjan, marks another major step in the company’s Pan-African growth strategy. The facility will boost regional production and strengthen Dangote’s export capacity across West and Central Africa.
The announcement comes as the company reports an 18.2% increase in export volumes from Nigeria. These volumes include clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon, showcasing Dangote Cement’s growing role in regional trade and its commitment to industrial self-sufficiency across Africa.
Chief Executive Officer Arvind Pathak emphasized that the Cote d’Ivoire plant aligns with the company’s broader focus on long-term value creation, cost efficiency, and environmental sustainability. “We are building more than just cement plants – we are building an integrated future for Africa,” he said.
To cut costs and enhance environmental performance, Dangote Cement has begun deploying 1,600 new CNG-powered trucks, part of a shift to cleaner and more efficient logistics systems. These trucks are expected to reduce transportation expenses and significantly lower carbon emissions, further supporting the company’s green transition.
The announcement follows a strong financial performance. In the first quarter of 2025, Dangote Cement posted 944.7 billion Naira in revenue, representing a 21.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Profit after tax surged by 85.7% to 209.2 billion Naira, while EBITDA rose by 49.2%. These figures reflect both price adjustments in core markets and improved operational efficiency.
Currently, Dangote Cement is Africa’s largest cement producer, operating in over 10 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, the Republic of Congo, and Senegal. Its total installed capacity is 48.6 Mta, with Nigeria alone accounting for 32.3 Mta. The rest is distributed across other African markets, reinforcing the group’s role in regional industrialization.
The company is also continuing work on other major projects. In Nigeria, construction resumed in March on an $800 million, 6 Mta cement plant in Itori, Ogun State. The facility is expected to be completed by November 2026 and will further expand Nigeria’s domestic production and export footprint.
This expansion comes at a time when Africa’s demand for cement is on the rise. The continent’s cement market is projected to grow by 8.1% annually, reaching approximately US$8.7 billion in 2025. Urbanization, public infrastructure projects, and cross-border trade integration are driving this growth, and Dangote Cement is positioning itself to meet this demand.
The planned Cote d’Ivoire plant highlights Dangote Cement’s bold strategy to deepen its presence in high-growth African markets. Through investments in infrastructure, innovation, and cleaner logistics, the company continues to cement its status as a key player in shaping Africa’s economic development.
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