Dangote Promises Five New Cement Plants In Africa, 2014

Nigeria’s richest man and
Africa’s leading cement producer, Dangote Cement has revealed plans to complete the construction of five cement plants spread across five African countries this year.
The plants, which are at various stages of completion, will add about 13.5 million metric tonnes of cement per annum to the existing capacity, when completed, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote said.
The on-going projects, which highlight continuity of the company’s pan-African expansion drive, includes: the 1.5mmtpa Zambian plant, Tanzania’s 1.5mmtpa plant, South Africa’s 3mmtpa plant; and a 1.5mmtpa capacity plant in the Republic of Congo and Gabon, respectively.
It would be recalled that just last week, Nigerian High Commissioner to Zambia, Mrs Sifawu.Momoh, had confirmed that Dangote Group is set to complete and inaugurate a $400million cement factory in Zambia by next month.
In-Nigeria, the cement giant is working on the third and fourth production lines in the 6mmtpa plant at Ibese, Ogun State.
According to him, Dangote plans to bring the Ibese plant’s total capacity to 12 mmtpa, while another 3mmtpa line is being added to the Obajana cement plant in Kogi State.
An additional 3 mmtpa is planned for its planned for its Obajana plant before the end of 2014, Dangote said, adding that the  company said its core focus involves providing local value-added products and services that will generate employment and prevent capital flight.
We will continue to encourage other investors to ensure that Nigeria becomes a self-sufficient industrial giant rather than a leader in importation, he explained.
According to him, the continuous investments in Nigeria and the rest of Africa was borne out of the fact that the country is a fertile ground for investment.
Last year, a- Renaissance Capital research credited Dangote cement as a major force  Nigeria’s feat in overtaking South Africa as the biggest cement manufacturer in Sub-Saharan Africa, as it marked the year with investments in cement plants across the continent.
Esterblished in 1978, Dangote Group PLC is an African conglomerate based in Nigeria, with diversified interests.
The company’s cement, sugar, salt and flour businesses are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).