To tighten its grip on Africa’s cement market, Dangote Cement Plc has announced plans to open a new three-million-ton grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire.
The development is expected to deepen the company’s Pan-African footprint and ramp up its export strength across the continent.
The Ivorian expansion comes at a time when Dangote Cement is already experiencing significant export growth, especially from Nigeria. According to its latest financial update, the company reported an impressive 18.2% rise in exports, largely driven by clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon.
It’s part of a broader strategy to position Nigeria not just as a consumer, but as a major exporter of cement in West Africa.
It is a strategic push beyond borders
Dangote Cement’s move into Côte d’Ivoire is not just about business, it’s about regional dominance.
With a total installed capacity of 52.0 million tons per annum (Mta) across the continent, the company is Africa’s leading cement manufacturer. The upcoming plant is expected to add even more weight to that title, supporting both local demand and cross-border trade.
In a statement to the Nigerian Exchange, Dangote Cement CEO Arvind Pathak noted that the export growth signals a strong and growing presence across African markets. “This demonstrates the importance of our Pan-African strategy and our dedication to improving regional self-sufficiency,” he said.
its efficiency and profit on the rise
Beyond expansion, Dangote Cement is focused on reducing costs and improving its environmental impact.
The company recently began rolling out 1,600 new trucks powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) to slash logistics expenses and reduce carbon emissions. These trucks are expected to significantly boost supply chain efficiency across its operations.
Financially, Dangote Cement is reaping the benefits of its forward-thinking strategies. In the second quarter of 2025, the group’s profit surged by 174.1%, while EBITDA rose by 41.8%, hitting ₦944.9 billion.
These figures underline the strength of the company’s cost discipline, long-term planning, and investment in scalable infrastructure.
Dangote is a cement powerhouse
In Nigeria alone, Dangote Cement runs four major plants:
- Obajana, Kogi State: 16.25 Mta (the largest in Africa)
- Ibese, Ogun State: 12.0 Mta
- Okpella, Edo State: 3.0 Mta
- Gboko, Benue State: 4.0 Mta
These domestic plants not only serve Nigeria’s growing construction needs but also support clinker and cement exports to neighboring countries.
The impact of these investments has made Nigeria self-sufficient in cement production, an achievement that seemed out of reach just a decade ago.
Outside Nigeria, Dangote Cement operates in Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, with capacities ranging from 0.5 Mta to 3.0 Mta in each location. The new Côte d’Ivoire plant will join this expanding list, further solidifying Dangote’s industrial footprint in sub-Saharan Africa.