Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s leading cement producer, has officially launched its state-of-the-art cement plant in Attingué, near Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, marking a major milestone in its ongoing expansion across West Africa.
The multi-million-dollar facility, which has an annual production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes, was inaugurated over the weekend in a ceremony attended by top Ivorian government officials, Nigerian dignitaries, and business leaders from across the region. The new plant is expected to boost local cement supply, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and strengthen regional trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking at the inauguration, Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, described the investment as part of the company’s long-term strategy to drive industrial growth and self-sufficiency in Africa.
“Our goal is to make Africa self-reliant in cement production and reduce import dependence. This new plant represents our commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s infrastructure development and economic transformation,” Dangote said.
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According to the company, the Attingué plant will not only serve the Ivorian market but will also export cement to neighboring countries, including Liberia, Mali, and Burkina Faso. This regional integration aligns with Dangote’s broader vision of connecting African economies through industrial and infrastructural development.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Souleymane Diarrassouba, who represented President Alassane Ouattara at the event, lauded Dangote Cement for its investment, saying it would significantly contribute to national industrialization and job creation.
“This plant is a testament to Côte d’Ivoire’s attractiveness to investors and our government’s efforts to promote industrial growth. We are proud to have Dangote Cement as a partner in our nation’s development,” Diarrassouba noted.
Industry analysts say the new facility will intensify competition in the Ivorian cement market, which has seen increasing demand driven by rapid urbanization and major infrastructure projects. With Dangote Cement’s entry, consumers are expected to benefit from stable supply and more competitive pricing.
The company emphasized that sustainability and environmental responsibility remain at the core of its operations. The Attingué plant is equipped with modern technology to minimize emissions and ensure energy efficiency, in line with global best practices.
Dangote Cement already operates plants in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia. The addition of Côte d’Ivoire further consolidates its position as Africa’s largest cement producer, with total production capacity exceeding 52 million metric tonnes annually.
The launch underscores the growing influence of Nigerian investments across the continent and highlights Dangote Group’s role in promoting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
With the Attingué plant now operational, Dangote Cement is poised to play a key role in supporting West Africa’s infrastructure boom and advancing the region’s industrialization agenda.