Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has officially inaugurated a $250 million cement plant in the Attingué industrial zone, near Abidjan, marking his company’s largest investment in the sector outside Nigeria.
The facility, operated by Dangote Cement Plc, has an annual production capacity of three million metric tons. It is designed to meet growing domestic demand while reducing Ivory Coast’s reliance on cement imports, which have historically driven up construction costs in the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dangote said the project reflects his company’s confidence in the Ivorian economy and commitment to supporting industrial development across West Africa. “We are proud to bring world-class production capacity to Ivory Coast and to help make cement more affordable for its people,” he noted.
The plant is expected to create between 2,000 and 3,000 direct jobs for local workers, in addition to thousands more indirect opportunities in logistics, distribution, and related industries. Government officials present at the event described the investment as a major boost to the nation’s industrialization drive and infrastructure development plans.
With rapid urbanization and a growing construction sector, Ivory Coast’s cement consumption has surged in recent years. Analysts say Dangote’s entry into the market could help stabilize prices and encourage further investment in the housing and infrastructure sectors.
Dangote Cement, which operates in 10 African countries, has continued to expand its footprint beyond Nigeria, citing the continent’s infrastructure deficit as a long-term growth opportunity.
