Dangote introduces 42.5 cement grade in Cameroon as new $150m plant opens

The planned consolidation of the Africa expansion drive of Dangote Cement remains on course with the announcement by the management that its $150 million Cameroon plant has commenced production in Douala, Cameroon.

The commencement of production in the Cameroonian commercial city of Douala came in the wake of the inauguration of another 1.5 million tons capacity per annum Senegal plant in Pout in January.

The management of the company had last year listed some six plants across five African countries scheduled for completion this year.

The plants at vaious stages of construction, according to Aliko Dangote, group president/chief executive, will add about 13.5mmt of cement per annum to the existing capacity, when completed.

The ongoing plant projects, according to him then, were Zambia, 1.5mmtpa; Tanzania, 1.5mmtpa; South Africa, 3mmtpa; Republic of Congo, 1.5mmtpa; Gabon, 1.5mmtpa, and Senegal 1.5mmtpa.

Back home, Dangote Cement ramp up capacity adding additional third and fourth production lines to the existing 6mmtpa in Ibese, Ogun State, to bring the total capacity to 12mmtpa and another 3mmtpa line currently being added to the Obajana cement plant in Kogi State.

Dangote told a delegation from Organised Private Sector who visited him in the office that the 1.5 million tons per annum capacity plant in Cameroon commenced initial production at 1 million tons per annum before productions would be stepped up to maximum capacity level.

The Douala plant would revolutionise the cement industry in Cameroon and help stimulate the Eastern African economy as Dangote Cement would be churning out its known quality grade of 42.5 at a very competitive price.

He said the plant remained the most modern in Cameroon because of the latest technologies used in the construction from Germany, USA, France, and put together by the plant engineers, Sinoma.

The company started by importing clinker and that production is being carried out at the most environmental friendly level, he said, pointing out that the dust emission by the plant is lower than the 50mm international standard.

He said the Cameroonians were eager to see Dangote Cement commence operations because of the exploits of the company in other countries and that the company had enjoyed cooperation both from the host communities and the government of the country. He promised that Dangote Cement as a law abiding organisation would play by the rules of the land and that it would replicate its corporate social services in the host community.

Over 1000 people would be employed directly by the plant while over 5000 would benefit from the indirect employment to be generated by production activities of the plant, he said.

“We have brought our latest technology to Cameroon to build the plant, we are a very environmentally friendly company. We are producing the 42.5 grade cement we are known for in Cameroon and at a very competitive price. The cement distributors, the consumers were all eager to have our product and we will not disappoint them.

“They have been used to a particular product before, but we are offering them choices, quality choice at very reasonable price,” he said.

He also disclosed that plans were afoot for the construction of a jetty by the plant, which is just by the water front and close to the Douala sea port. This, he said would make it easy to bring in raw materials and also help in the distribution of the product to other areas.