Dangote cement commences operations in Ivory Coast with 3m-tonne plant

Abidjan, Ivory Coast – Dangote Cement has officially commenced operations at its new production plant in Attingué, located about 30 kilometres from Abidjan, marking a major expansion of the company’s footprint across Africa.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the company announced that the launch was made public on Wednesday by Serge Gbotta, Managing Director of Dangote Cement Ivory Coast, during an event held at Novotel Abidjan-Marcory.

Spanning 50 hectares, the new plant boasts an annual production capacity of 3 million tonnes, positioning it among Dangote Cement’s largest facilities outside Nigeria.

According to the statement, the ₦100 billion CFA franc (approx. $160 million) investment aligns with the vision of Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and founder of the Dangote Group, to promote a self-sufficient Africa capable of transforming its raw materials into high-quality finished products.

“This strategic project embodies Aliko Dangote’s vision of building a self-reliant Africa that is less dependent on imports and capable of producing world-class products locally,” the company said.

With the launch of the Attingué facility, Ivory Coast becomes the 11th African country to host a Dangote Cement production unit. The Dangote Group now operates across multiple African markets with a total cement production capacity of 55 million tonnes per year.

The new plant is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting Ivory Coast’s fast-growing infrastructure and construction sectors, driven by rapid urbanisation and large-scale development projects.

Projections indicate that the facility could create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, benefiting young people and stimulating growth among local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including transporters, retailers, contractors, and suppliers.

Speaking during the launch, Serge Gbotta highlighted the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, locally produced cement that meets international standards.

“Our ambition is clear: to offer Ivorians world-class cement, produced locally at a competitive price,” he said. “The Attingué plant is not just an industrial site; it represents our confidence in Ivory Coast’s future and our commitment to sustainable development in partnership with local communities.”

The commissioning of the Attingué plant further strengthens Dangote Cement’s position as Africa’s leading cement producer, reinforcing its role in advancing industrialisation, job creation, and infrastructure growth across the continent.