Nigerian industrial giant, Dangote Cement Plc, has officially commenced operations at its state-of-the-art cement plant in Attingué, about 30 kilometres from Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire. The new facility, built at an estimated cost of ₦260 billion (approximately 100 billion CFA francs), marks another milestone in the company’s strategic expansion across Africa.
The sprawling 50-hectare complex has a production capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum, making it one of the largest Dangote Cement plants outside Nigeria. The project is expected to generate over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, further boosting local employment and economic activities in the Ivorian construction sector.
Speaking during the official inauguration, representatives of the Dangote Group highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s industrial and infrastructural growth, stressing that the plant’s establishment aligns with the nation’s development agenda. The facility is expected to help meet the surging demand for cement driven by rapid urbanisation and large-scale construction projects while reducing reliance on imported cement products.
Strategically located near the port city of Abidjan, the Attingué plant gives Dangote Cement a logistical advantage for both the importation of raw materials and the exportation of finished products. The company also revealed plans for an extensive distribution network to ensure the availability of high-quality cement across all regions of the country.
The entry of Dangote Cement into Côte d’Ivoire’s cement market is expected to intensify competition among existing players such as LafargeHolcim, Cim Ivoire, and Cimaf. Analysts say this could ultimately lead to better product quality, price stability, and an expanded supply base for local builders.
With the new plant, Côte d’Ivoire becomes the 11th African nation to host a Dangote Cement production facility. The company, founded by Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, now boasts a total production capacity of over 50 million tonnes per annum across the continent.
Industry experts have described the Attingué project as a testament to the Dangote Group’s unwavering faith in Africa’s potential, especially in driving industrialisation through intra-African investment. The development is also seen as a key contribution to regional integration efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The launch of the plant underscores Dangote Cement’s growing footprint across the continent and its role in transforming Africa’s construction landscape — one bag of cement at a time.