Dangote Cement Plc has announced plans to commence production at its cement grinding plant in Congo in a matter of weeks.
Almost completed, the company hopes to boost its production capacity by at least 1.5 million metric tons, to bring its total yearly manufacturing capacity to about 32 million tons across Africa.
The completion of a new cement manufacturing line at Bouansa, Congo brings the company closer to its goal of being the major exporter of cement in the continent.
The new plant is coming on the heels of the ongoing construction of a new three-million metric tonnes capacity cement grinding plant in Cote D’ivoire.
Plant Director for Congo Operations, Ganapathy Balasubramanian explained that the factory which costs the company CFA 133 billion or about $300 million, is expected to meet the nation’s cement demand and cater for the export market in neighbouring countries within the region.
The grinding plant, with its 1.5 million metric ton capacity when it commences operations, will increase the total capacity of local cement production in the Francophone nation and provide direct and indirect jobs for over 1,600 people from within the country and other neighbouring countries.
Balasubramanian added that the company will be depending on an on-grid power system in meeting its energy needs, as 20 MW is being supplied from the national grid, stressing that the factory has a potential utilisation profile of 99% when it commences operations.
