Dangote Cement Boosts Regional Trade with New Côte d’Ivoire Plant, Records ₦944.9 Billion EBITDA Surge

Dangote Cement Plc is set to commission its 3 million tonnes per annum (Mta) grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire by the third quarter of 2025, a strategic move expected to solidify the company’s leadership in Africa’s cement industry and enhance its export capacity.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Arvind Pathak, made this announcement in a note to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, highlighting the company’s growing regional footprint and its commitment to intra-African trade and industrial self-sufficiency.

“Export volumes from Nigeria increased by 18.2%, with 18 successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon,” Pathak noted. “This demonstrates the growing importance of our pan-African footprint and our ongoing commitment to regional trade and self-sufficiency.”

Focus on Efficiency and Sustainability

Pathak emphasized that Dangote Cement’s strategic focus remains on long-term value creation, with continued investments in cost reduction and operational efficiency. As part of this agenda, the company has commenced phased delivery of 1,600 additional compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks.

“These trucks will significantly reduce our logistics costs and enhance environmental efficiency,” he stated.

Strong Financial Performance in Q2

Commenting on the company’s second-quarter financials, Pathak described the results as a reflection of Dangote Cement’s strength, resilience, and adaptability, especially in a gradually improving macroeconomic environment.

The company recorded a 41.8% increase in Group EBITDA to ₦944.9 billion, while Group profit surged by 174.1%, signaling a strong turnaround driven by disciplined execution and robust cost leadership.

> “This remarkable performance is a testament to our strategic investments and our relentless focus on operational efficiency,” he added.

Africa’s Cement Powerhouse

Dangote Cement remains Africa’s leading cement producer with a total installed capacity of 52.0Mta across the continent, including 35.25Mta in Nigeria alone.

Its Obajana plant in Kogi State remains the largest cement facility in Africa, with 16.25Mta capacity across five production lines. The Ibese plant in Ogun State houses four production lines totaling 12Mta, while the Gboko plant in Benue and the Okpella plant in Edo contribute 4Mta and 3Mta respectively.

Through these massive investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement, transforming the country into a net exporter of both cement and clinker to several West African nations.

Pan-African Operations

Outside Nigeria, Dangote Cement operates 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

With the Côte d’Ivoire plant set to come online soon, Dangote Cement is poised to further entrench its role as a key player in Africa’s infrastructure and industrial growth.