Dangote Cement, Africa's largest cement producer led by billionaire Aliko Dangote, has officially inaugurated its state-of-the-art grinding plant in Attingué, approximately 30 kilometers north of Abidjan.
The $160 million facility, spanning 50 hectares, marks the company's entry into the Ivorian market and promises to bolster local infrastructure while creating over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The launch was formally announced on Wednesday, October 8, during a high-profile press briefing at the Novotel Abidjan-Marcory, where Serge Gbotta, Managing Director of Dangote Cement Côte d’Ivoire, hailed the plant as "more than a factory."
"It’s a statement of confidence in the future of Côte d’Ivoire and a commitment to produce high-quality cement locally at competitive prices," Gbotta declared, emphasizing the facility's role in reducing the nation's reliance on cement imports.
With an annual production capacity of 3 million tonnes, the Attingué plant will manufacture premium cement grades, including CPJ 32.5R for masonry, CPJ 42.5N for general building, and CPA 52.5 for heavy infrastructure projects.
This output is poised to address Côte d’Ivoire's surging demand for construction materials, fueled by rapid urbanization, government-led housing initiatives targeting a 800,000-unit deficit, and major public works.
The facility will also position the country as a potential export hub for the sub-region, leveraging Dangote's pan-African logistics network.
Ivory Coast now joins a growing list of 11 African nations hosting Dangote Cement operations, from Ethiopia and Senegal to South Africa and Ghana, elevating the group's continental capacity to 55 million tonnes per year.
The expansion aligns with Aliko Dangote's vision of fostering self-reliance across the continent. "Africa is full of opportunities. Our mission is to tell a new story—one of innovation, production, and progress for future generations," Dangote stated in a group release.
The plant is projected to stimulate ancillary industries, including transport, retail, and supply chains, while providing training opportunities through the Dangote Academy for young engineers and technicians.
Community investments are also on the horizon, encompassing road upgrades, clean water access, health center support, and partnerships with local NGOs and authorities to promote sustainable development.
The entry intensifies competition in Côte d’Ivoire's cement sector, where incumbents like LafargeHolcim, Cim Ivoire, and Cimaf dominate amid an annual consumption of about 7 million tonnes against a total installed capacity nearing 19 million.
Regulated pricing may temper aggressive tactics, but Dangote's scale and efficiency could reshape dynamics, potentially lowering costs for builders and accelerating projects like the planned 25,000 affordable housing units.
Dangote Cement's Côte d’Ivoire foray, initially slated for the third quarter but accelerated to meet market needs, reflects the group's aggressive growth trajectory.
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