Dangote Cement opens new plant in Ethiopia

Published by Harleigh Hobbs, Editor
World Cement, Friday, 05 June 2015 12:30

Dangote Group, Nigeria, has commissioned a 2.5 million t cement plant in Ethiopia.The new cement plant represents an investment of approximately N.94.5 billion (US$480 million) and is located in the Mugher district, western Ethiopia, at a site approximately 85 km from Addis Ababa.

At the commissioning ceremony, President and CEO Aliko Dangote stated that Dangote Cement is setting up new cement plants and terminals across 16 African countries, including Ethiopia, in line with its long-term vision to become one of the world’s biggest cement producers.

He pointed out that Ethiopia ranks among the fastest growing economies in the world and has become a driving force in opening up the African economic region.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, attended the ceremony and spoke of his belief that the plant would reduce poverty and unemployment in Ethiopia.

The company aims to invest N3.15 trillion (US$16 billion) between 2015 and 2018 to develop its current cement plants and aims to achieve annual production of 62 million t across Africa before the end of 2017.

Dangote plans to expand Ethiopia‘s cement output to meet the demands of the growing construction market in the country.

The Ethiopian plant will produce 42.5 grade cement and will create 2000 jobs in the main plant operations, with 600 trucks and a subsequent 5000 indirect jobs. Both the government and citizens are reported to be excited for the completion of the project and the economic prospects of having such a huge company in the area.

Edited from various sources by Harleigh Hobbs