Sika is opening its first concrete admixture and mortar production facilities in Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
The global speciality chemicals company has established new subsidiaries in Ethiopia and Tanzania to participate in the growing markets in the Sub-Saharan region. Thus Sika continues its dedicated and successful expansion strategy and is enlarging its presence to sixteen countries on the African continent.
Sika established the subsidiary in Nigeria and Ivory Coast in 2014 and is now in Lagos and Abidjan, investing in local production facilities for high-quality concrete admixtures and mortars to supply the booming construction, refurbishment and maintenance markets in both countries.
Many international and medium-sized local contractors working on big oil and gas, infrastructure, commercial and residential projects represent a large customer potential.
Paul Schuler, Sika Regional Manager EMEA, explained: “Our new production facilities in Nigeria and Ivory Coast and our new subsidiaries in Tanzania and Ethiopia represent another milestone in the execution of Sika’s Strategy 2018.
With the latest investments we will further accelerate our growth in Sub-Saharan Africa and increase Sika’s market share. It demonstrates our strong belief in the potential and the prosperous future of the continent.”
With roughly 180 million inhabitants and an expected annual growth rate of approximately 5%, Nigeria will have major requirements in the construction sector.
With 23 million inhabitants, Ivory Coast represents one of the smaller African countries, but also offers a promising growth potential for Sika. Cement consumption in both countries is expected to grow by 9% in 2015.
One pillar of Sika’s Strategy 2018 is the accelerated build-up of emerging markets and the expansion of the supply chain. The overall objective is to increase sales generated in emerging markets from currently 37% of total sales to 42-45% by 2018.
Africa is one of the focus regions for the company. In the first six months of 2015, Sika’s sales in the region were up 18%. Currently the company maintains 16 local subsidiaries and 13 manufacturing sites on the African continent.
For more information on Sika products and systems, visit www.sika.co.za
