Dangote starts work on the construction of a XOF180bn (US$315.8m) cement plant in Keita, Niger, according to the country’s national TV organisation.

The new works will also included a 100MW coal-fired power plant. Dangote Cement Niger was granted approval to carry out research on “coal and related substances” on four permits in the region of Agadez (north) and Tahoua.

The new cement facility is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2020 and will have a capacity of 2.5Mta. It is expected that output from the works will help lower prices and help to reduce import volumes. Currently Niger imports 80 per cent of its cement requirement, mainly from Nigeria and Benin.