Dangote Cement Enters Another African Country Market, Ready To Challenge Competitors
- Dangote Cement is set to open a new plant in Côte d’Ivoire, marking an entry into the West African country
- The cement producer will now have to contend for market share with big players like Lafarge Holcim, Cim Ivoire, and Cimaf
- Dangote Cement in the first half of 2025 recorded a revenue a 149.2 per cent increase to N730.03 billion
Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of experience in business journalism, with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.
The Dangote Cement plans to launch operations in Côte d’Ivoire by the end of 2025, expanding its footprint in West African market.
Source: UGC
The new $250 million grinding plant in Attingué, near Abidjan, will add 3 million tonnes to the country’s production capacity, raising installed output to about 19 million tonnes against annual consumption of roughly 7 million tonnes.
Industry capacity utilisation currently averages around 45%, as existing players face production and marketing challenges.
The Ivorian market is currently dominated by Lafarge Holcim, Cim Ivoire, and Cimaf, alongside other rivals including Indian-owned Diamond Cement, BigCim of the Atlantic Group, and Morocco’s Cimaf. Average industry capacity utilisation hovers around 45% due to production and marketing challenges.
Africa Report showed that prices of cemnt in Ivorian market are regulated, limiting the likelihood of a price war,.
But there are expectations that Dangote's investement and expertise could allow it to capture market share through quality and distribution reach.
Lafarge Holcim has already responded with plans to invest more than €6 million in new storage capacity, while Cim Ivoire continues its regional expansion drive.
While Cim Ivoire, part of Burkina Faso’s Cim Metal Group, continues to expand regionally.
Other competitors include the Indian-owned Diamond Cement, BigCim of the Atlantic Group, and Morocco’s Cimaf.
Source: UGC
Dangote Cement H1 performance in Nigeria
Dangote Cement reported a 17.7% rise in revenue to N2.07 trillion from N1.76 trillion in H1 2024.
Pretax profit jumped 149.2% to N730.03 billion.
BUA Cement, the second-largest producer in Nigeria posted the fastest growth, with revenue climbing 59.4% to N580.3 billion and pretax profit surging 435.3% to N214.8 billion.
Lafarge Africa delivered the highest revenue growth among the top three, up 74.9% year-on-year to N516.98 billion, with pretax profit rising 328.3% to N199.74 billion.
By revenue share, Dangote Cement controlled 65.4% of the market in H1 2025, down from 72.7% a year earlier, as BUA increased its share to 18.3% and Lafarge Africa to 16.3%.
Analysts said the shift highlights intensifying competition in Nigeria’s cement oligopoly.
CSL said in a note:
“The sector’s resilience has been underscored by robust price adjustments, disciplined cost management, and zero FX losses, following a n261.2 billion hit in H1 2024."
FG plans to build bamboo houses
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the federal government has announced plans to construct affordable and climate-smart houses using bamboo, targeting low- and middle-income earners across the country.
The initiative is coming at a time cost of cement and other building materials has become very expensive.
Source: Legit.ng
