Dangote Cement Plc has delivered a strong first-quarter performance for 2026, with cement and clinker exports from Nigeria surging by 71.6 percent as the company continues to expand its footprint across Africa.
According to its unaudited Q1 2026 financial results, the company completed 10 clinker shipments to neighbouring markets during the period, reinforcing its position as Africa’s leading cement exporter.
Total sales volumes rose by 13.8 percent year-on-year, driven by a growth of 11.5 percent in Nigeria and 19.5 percent across its pan-African operations. The group’s total installed production capacity now stands at 55 million tonnes per annum (MTA) across the continent.
Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director and CEO, Arvind Pathak, said the performance reflects strong execution and operational discipline across markets.
“We have delivered an outstanding start to 2026, with revenue up 20.4 percent year-on-year to ₦1.198 trillion, driven by a strong rebound in volumes,” Pathak said.
He added that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 22.8 percent to ₦567.1 billion, highlighting the company’s ability to translate growth into profitability.
Profit before tax increased by 35 percent to ₦421.1 billion, compared to ₦311.9 billion recorded in the same period of 2025. Earnings per share also climbed to ₦19.14 from ₦12.29, signalling sustained value creation for shareholders.
On exports and expansion, Pathak noted that the company’s export business is scaling rapidly, supported by growing regional demand and improved logistics.
“Our export volumes from Nigeria rose by 71.6 percent, with 10 clinker shipments completed in the quarter. This reinforces our strategic position as Africa’s leading cement exporter,” he said.
The company also made progress on key expansion projects, including the commissioning of a 3MTA grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire, alongside ongoing developments in Itori and Ethiopia. These projects form part of Dangote Cement’s broader plan to increase production capacity to 80MTA by 2030.
Dangote Cement currently operates 35.25MTA capacity in Nigeria, with major plants in Obajana, Ibese, Gboko, and Okpella. Its Obajana facility in Kogi State remains the largest cement plant in Africa, with a capacity of 16.25MTA.
Through sustained investments, the company has helped eliminate Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement, transforming the country into a net exporter of cement and clinker across West and Central Africa.
Looking ahead, Pathak expressed confidence in maintaining growth momentum, citing resilient demand, a strong expansion pipeline, and continued operational efficiency.
“We remain confident in sustaining this growth trajectory and delivering long-term value to our shareholders,” he said.
