In a significant expansion of its continental operations, Dangote Cement has officially commenced production at its newly constructed facility in Attingué, approximately 30 kilometers from the Ivory Coast’s commercial capital, Abidjan.
The announcement, by Serge Gbotta, Managing Director of Dangote Cement’s Ivorian subsidiary, was made at a ceremony held at the Novotel Abidjan-Marcory. The launch represents a pivotal moment for both the cement manufacturing giant and the West African nation’s industrial sector.
Sprawling across 50 hectares of industrial land, the Attingué plant boasts an annual production capacity of 3 million tonnes of cement, positioning it among the largest facilities in the Dangote Cement portfolio outside its Nigerian home base.
The project required an estimated investment of 100 billion CFA francs (approximately $165 million), underscoring the company’s commitment to African industrialization.
With this latest addition, the Ivory Coast becomes the 11th African nation to host a Dangote Cement production facility. The conglomerate now commands a formidable combined production capacity of 55 million tonnes annually across the continent, cementing its position as Africa’s preeminent cement manufacturer.
Company officials framed the Attingué plant as more than just a commercial venture. According to the group’s statement, the facility embodies the broader vision of founder Aliko Dangote—Africa’s wealthiest individual—who has consistently championed the continent’s industrial self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on imported goods.
“This strategic project embodies Aliko Dangote’s vision of building a self-sufficient Africa that is less dependent on imports and capable of transforming its resources into world-class finished products,” the company stated, articulating a philosophy that has driven the group’s aggressive expansion across multiple African markets.
The economic ripple effects of the facility are expected to be substantial. According to company projections, the Attingué plant could generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, providing a significant boost to the Ivory Coast’s labor market, particularly for young job seekers.
Beyond direct employment, the plant is anticipated to catalyze growth throughout the local business ecosystem. Small and medium-sized enterprises across various sectors—including transportation, construction trades, retail, supply chains, and subcontracting services—stand to benefit from the facility’s operations.
The timing of the plant’s launch aligns strategically with the Ivory Coast’s infrastructure boom. The country has experienced rapid urbanization in recent years, accompanied by ambitious government-backed construction projects that have created surging demand for building materials.
Dangote Cement’s entry into the market positions the company to play a crucial role in supporting the nation’s development trajectory while offering locally produced alternatives to imported cement.
Speaking at the launch event, the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement in the Ivory Coast articulated the company’s local market strategy with clarity. “Our ambition is clear: to offer Ivorians internationally-standard cement, produced locally, at a competitive price,” the CEO declared.
The executive further emphasized that the facility represents more than industrial infrastructure. “The Attingué plant is not just an industrial unit; it is a symbol of confidence in the future of the Ivory Coast and a commitment to sustainable development alongside local communities,” he stated, highlighting the company’s intention to integrate with local stakeholders and contribute to long-term socioeconomic development.
The Attingué plant’s launch comes as part of Dangote Group’s broader strategy to dominate cement production across Africa, reducing the continent’s reliance on expensive imports while building manufacturing capacity closer to end markets. The company has systematically expanded its footprint across diverse African markets, from Nigeria and Senegal to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
As construction activity continues to accelerate across West Africa‘s second-largest economy, the new facility positions Dangote Cement to capture significant market share while contributing to the Ivory Coast’s industrial modernization and infrastructure development goals.
The plant’s successful launch marks another chapter in African industrialist Aliko Dangote’s ambitious vision of transforming the continent’s manufacturing landscape—one cement bag at a time.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Dangote Cement has launched a major $165 million cement plant in the Ivory Coast with 3 million tonnes of annual capacity, making it the company’s 11th African facility and one of its largest outside Nigeria.
The plant addresses three critical needs: meeting surging local demand driven by rapid urbanization, reducing Africa’s dependence on imported cement, and creating over 1,000 jobs while boosting local businesses.
