According to reports, Dangote Cement will complete five new cement plants across Africa this year. The new plants, which are currently under construction, will add significantly to Dangote’s existing capacity. The following projects are set for completion in 2014:
- A 1.5 million tpa plant in Zambia (due to be inaugurated in February).
- A 1.5 million tpa plant in Tanzania.
- A 3 million tpa plant in South Africa.
- A 1.5 million tpa plant in the Republic of Congo.
- A 1.5 million tpa plant in Gabon.
In addition, Dangote Cement is expanding its Ibese plant with a third and fourth production line and adding a further 3 million tpa capacity to the Obajana plant. The company has been a driving force behind the growth of the Nigerian cement industry, boosting capacity to the point where Nigeria has overtaken South Africa in terms of cement production capacity. The Obajana plant is currently the largest cement plant in Sub-Saharan Africa with 10.25 million tpa capacity.
Addressing African businessmen in his office over the weekend, Aliko Dangote said that investment in the ‘real sector’ is the only path towards growth and development for Africa. He added that the continent requires significant investment to meet its infrastructure needs – investment that cannot come from governments alone.
Edited from various sources by Katherine Guenioui