Dangote Group of companies has continued its expansion plans in the cement industry with another plant target in Lusaka.

Dangote will officially launch its Masaiti cement plant project on 4 August. The official commissioning will be attended by owner Aliko Dangote and the Nigerian vice president.

However, the company still sees further potential in this market and The Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has disclosed that Dangote will build another plant in the Chongwe area to expand its fast-growing presence in Zambia. ZDA director Patrick Chisanga said that Dangote had brought healthy competition in the cement business. Lafarge Cement who had enjoyed a monopoly over the years has struggled under the weight of this new competition and has slashed its prices. Domestic cement prices have fallen drastically from ZMW80 (US$10.45) to around ZMW62 (US$8.09) in recent months.