Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Cement has guaranteed shareholders and other stakeholders the management’s resolve to keep the company profitable by leveraging strategic innovations for the continuous growth of their investments.
Dangote said while speaking at the 14th annual general meeting of the company in Lagos, that the prospects for the cement company remain bright as the management will continue to innovate on quality product delivery to millions of its customers across Africa while touching the lives of its host communities.
“We will continue to make sure that we keep our shareholders happy, not only the shareholders but all our other stakeholders,” he said.
“Our strategy remains steadfast, focused on organic growth in Nigeria and Pan-Africa while ensuring that Africa’s regional integration becomes a reality.
He added that “we will continue to contribute to improving regional trade within Africa by building plants across West and Central Africa, guided by our vision of making the region cement and clinker self-sufficient. In addition, we aim to deliver higher returns and value to our shareholders.”
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The chairman of Dangote Cement stated that despite the challenging macroeconomic environment in 2022, the company still made great strides, performed admirably, and remains Africa’s largest and leading cement producer.
Dangote further explained that in the face of unexpected challenges in 2022, the company implemented robust cost reduction strategies to manage the inflationary environment, and thus enhanced its competitiveness while maintaining high levels of product quality and customer service delivery.
He noted that in addition, “we achieved giant strides in transitioning to cleaner energy, with our cost containment initiative propelling the use of alternative fuel to replace more expensive fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
“We also increased the use of compressed natural gas for our trucks due to the rising diesel cost environment,” he said.
He also stated that these efforts have helped the company reduce its cost base and enhanced flexibility, enabling the company to respond more effectively to changes in the market.
“As a result, we recorded revenue and EBITDA growth of 17 percent and 3.5 percent from the prior year respectively, albeit under unprecedented inflationary pressure. We also achieved a profit after tax of N382.3 billion, up 4.9 percent compared to 2021.”
While further analysing the 2022 year-end result, Dangote explained that the company achieved its highest revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in history at N1,618.3 billion and N708.2 billion, respectively.
The exceptional EBITDA, according to him, was supported by its numerous cost containment measures, substituting higher-cost fuel for cheaper alternative fuel products.
Dangote said over the last twelve years, volumes have grown by a double-digit compound annual growth rate of 11.2 percent.
Similarly, he said EBITDA has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3 percent, over the same period, implying a five-fold increase and revealing a true growth story.
“Accordingly, we closed the year with a profit after tax of N382.3 billion and an Earning per Share of N22.27. Despite these accomplishments, we are not resting on our laurels.
“We recognise that the business environment remains volatile, so we will continue to evolve with the changing times while embracing technological advancement,” he added.
Speaking on the company’s annual reports, Bisi Bakare, chairman of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association, commended the management of Dangote Cement for its doggedness during the year under review for still being able to exceed the shareholders’ expectation in view of the inclement economic weather under which companies operated in the country.
She said that the shareholders were happy for the returns, pointing out that it only means that the company was living up to its billing as the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa,
She further said that if not for the resilience of the management, the company would not be able to post such an impressive performance in 2022.
Bakare alluded to the successful listing of the N300 billion series bond by the company, she said “the company succeeded largely due to the confidence reposed in the company and its management by the investing public.
“It is not all companies that could record such a feat given the huge amount involved and the biting economic situation.”
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