Dangote opens Congolese cement plant

Left to right: Representative of President Mohammadu Buhari, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso.

 

The plant has more than doubled Congolese cement production, which now stands at just over 2.5 million tpy – in excess of national demand.

“It is envisaged that this will contribute substantially to the availability and affordability of cement in the country,” said Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Cement. “The Republic of the Congo will no longer need to depend on imports to bridge the gap between demand and supply.”

The plant was completed on schedule. The opening was attended by the Congolese President, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and a delegation representing the Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari. Dangote is based in Nigeria and has helped to transform that country from a significant importer of cement to self sufficiency.

“By successfully substituting imports with local production, we have saved of US$2 billion spend on cement importation into Nigeria annually,” said President Buhari.

“It is out hope that the inauguration of the plant will boost Congo’s economy, conserve foreign exchange that would otherwise have been spend on import for the country, and create employment opportunities down the value chain,” added Dangote.

The Mfila plant is the fifth cement plant to be commissioned by Dangote Cement over the past two years. The Nigerian company has also begun operations at plants in Ethiopia, Zambia, Cameroon, and Tanzania. Its total cement capacity across Africa stands at 45.8 million t.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/africa-middle-east/28112017/dangote-opens-congolese-cement-plant/