Dangote expansion plans for Cameroon cement plant

Aliko Dangote, has disclosed the company’s fresh investment drive towards expanding the output from its Douala plant, Cameroon, from the current 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) to over 3 mmtpa. The initial investment cost the group $150 million (about N30 billion).During his recent visit to Cameroon, Dangote met with the prime minister, Philemon Yang; minister of Industry, Mines and Technological Development, Emmanuel Bonde, and the minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.

He said the company was already in the process of signing a contract for the construction of an additional cement production line, in anticipation of a growing demand for cement occasioned by massive investment in infrastructure.

Dangote said the successful completion his 1.5 mmtpa plant in Douala, Cameroon, made the country self-sufficient in cement production, with plans to export cement to neighboring countries soon.

Dangote said the firm had already imported 220 trucks and trailers to resolve the present transport crisis, enabling cement to be delivered to customers in the villages’ resulting in price stabilisation. Importation of trucks will create up to 5000 jobs, directly or indirectly.
The Cameroon plant will be commissioned within the fourth quarter of this year. Last month, Dangote commissioned a cement plant in Ethiopia.

Urges govt on use of concrete for roads. Meanwhile, Dangote Cement Plc has called on governments to use cement concrete in road construction in line with global best practice.
The company said concrete roads are more durable, save lives and are cheap in the long run. He said: “Concrete roads may be about 15 to 20% more expensive than asphalt road but in the long run, in terms of durability, it is better because maintenance costs are near zero.”