The Nigerian cement industry is developing at breakneck speed, with a drive that reaches beyond the country’s borders. At the forefront of this trend is locally-based Dangote Cement. Speaking at the Cemtech Middle East and Africa Conference held earlier this year, CEO DVG Edwin highlighted the company’s track record and its plans to expand its operations not only in Nigeria, but further afield in other west and central African markets.
Nigerian cement demand has consistently increased from 8.42Mt in 2004 to 18.33Mt in 2012, providing a sound bedrock for the expansion of the country’s cement industry. Nowhere is this more evident than in the rapidly-rising share of local output in the total production volumes. Whereas indigenous production only accounted for 2.34Mt, or about 28 per cent, in 2004, its share has rocketed to 16.41Mt or close to 90 per cent eight years later. While imports fluctuated between 6-7Mt up to 2009, peaking at 7.25Mt in 2008, recent years have seen a steady decrease to 5.17Mt in 2011. In 2012, they plunged to 1.92Mt as more domestic capacity came online.
