With no any other noticeable business name in the area, Dangote, printed on the archway to a cement factory, has become a household name in Senior Chief Chiwala’s area of Masaiti district.
Dangote Industries Zambia has been changing the cement industry landscape in Zambia since its inception in 2015.
With an installed capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annum, the company has over the last two years positioned itself as the fastest growing and leading cement producer in Zambia.
Its ambitious business strategy has helped to stabilise cement prices in the country from the time it entered the market.
Cement prices, which fetched around K90 before the arrival of Dangote on the market, have fallen substantially and have ranged between K55 to K60 per 20-kilogramme bag.
This has helped thousands of Zambians who could not afford to buy the highly priced cement, afford to build the much-needed shelter.
Dangote Industries (Z) Limited chief executive officer Desmond Maharaj says: “In the first quarter we saw a drop in cement sales largely because of the rainy season. But overall, we have been growing steadily. It is our hope that with the country’s economy expected to improve, the cement market will become robust.”
Plant director Ram Sharma says the large expanse of high-grade limestone deposits, coupled with state-of-the-art machinery, enables Dangote Zambia to give customers best quality and affordable cement.
Although the company has directly employed over 1,000 workers, it has made sure that the loading of cement on trucks is done by automated pack machines to ensure efficiency.
Dangote public and media relations manager Katongo Chilufya says the company remains committed to producing the highest quality cement at the lowest workable cost.
She says: “Dangote is committed to the manufacturing and selling of high-quality portland cement in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.”
