Q1 2026: Dangote Cement grows exports by 71.6% as capacity reaches 55MTA

Dangote Cement Plc has recorded a strong performance in the first quarter of 2026, with cement and clinker exports from Nigeria rising by 71.6 per cent, as the company’s total installed production capacity across Africa reached 55 million tonnes per annum, MTA.

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The company disclosed that it completed 10 clinker shipments from Nigeria to neighbouring African markets during the period, further strengthening its position as the continent’s leading cement exporter.

According to its unaudited financial results for Q1 2026, total sales volumes grew by 13.8 per cent year-on-year, driven by an 11.5 per cent increase in Nigeria and a 19.5 per cent rise across its pan-African operations.

Commenting on the performance, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, said the results reflected the strength of the company’s operational model and disciplined execution strategy across its markets.

“We have delivered an outstanding start to 2026, with revenue rising by 20.4 per cent year-on-year to ₦1.198 trillion, driven by a strong rebound in volumes, which grew by 13.8 per cent across our markets,” he said.

Mr Pathak added that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 22.8 per cent to ₦567.1 billion, highlighting the company’s effective cost management and profitability strategy.

For the quarter under review, the cement giant posted a profit before tax of ₦421.1 billion, representing a 35 per cent increase compared to ₦311.9 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

The company’s earnings per share also rose to ₦19.14 from ₦12.29, reflecting sustained value creation for shareholders.

Speaking on exports and ongoing expansion projects, Pathak said the company’s export business continued to expand rapidly.

“Our export business continues to scale rapidly, with volumes from Nigeria up 71.6 per cent and 10 clinker shipments completed in the quarter. This performance reinforces our strategic position as Africa’s leading cement exporter,” he stated.

He also revealed that following the commissioning of the company’s 3MTA grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire, progress was being recorded on expansion projects in Itori, Ogun State, and Ethiopia, alongside other growth initiatives across the continent.

According to him, the projects are expected to strengthen the company’s footprint and support its target of reaching 80 million tonnes production capacity by 2030.

Looking ahead, Mr Pathak expressed optimism about the company’s growth outlook for the rest of the year.

“We have entered the year with strong momentum and a clear strategic focus. Demand across our markets remains resilient, our expansion pipeline is delivering, and our operational discipline continues to drive margin improvement,” he said.

Dangote Cement Plc currently operates 35.25MTA production capacity in Nigeria through its Obajana, Ibese, Gboko and Okpella plants.

The Obajana plant in Kogi State, regarded as the largest cement plant in Africa, has a production capacity of 16.25MTA across five lines, while the Ibese plant in Ogun State has 12MTA capacity. The Gboko plant in Benue State has 4MTA, while the Okpella plant in Edo State has 3MTA.

The company said its sustained investments over the years have helped eliminate Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement while positioning the country as a net exporter of cement and clinker to markets across West and Central Africa.