The Dangote Cement Plc grew cement and clinker exports from Nigeria by 62.3% to 1.1 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional manufacturing and export hub while also reporting a 22.7% rise in profit after tax to ₦638.5 billion.

The company said it dispatched 20 clinker ships from Nigeria to Ghana, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire during the period, reflecting rising demand for its products across West Africa and the growing contribution of exports to its pan-African growth strategy.

The unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 also showed that Group revenue increased by 21.4% to ₦2.514 trillion, while Group EBITDA rose by 25.8% to ₦1.188 trillion, reflecting a margin of 47.3%. Earnings per share advanced by 24.3% to ₦38.22, as the company closed the period with a strong net cash position of ₦215.2 billion.

Overall Group volumes grew by 11.8% to 14.9 million tonnes, supported by resilient demand in key markets. Nigeria continued to anchor earnings, with EBITDA from the domestic market rising by 28.4% to ₦1.086 trillion and margins improving to 60.1%.

Operational efficiency remained a key focus, with the company reporting a strong reduction in Nigeria cash costs, supported by a more favourable energy mix. It also commissioned the Okpella mobile refuelling unit and added 300 compressed natural gas trucks in Tanzania as part of efforts to improve logistics efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer, Arvind Pathak, said the first-half performance reflected the strong momentum the company had built since the start of the year, supported by disciplined execution, higher sales volumes and sustained demand across key markets.

“Our performance in the first half of 2026 reflects the strong momentum we have continued to build since the start of the year. The business delivered another solid set of results, supported by higher sales volumes, disciplined execution, and sustained demand across our key markets,” Pathak said.

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He noted that revenue growth, stronger EBITDA and the ₦215.2 billion net cash balance underscored the resilience of Dangote Cement’s business model and its capacity to invest in future growth while maintaining disciplined capital allocation.

Pathak said the company’s export strategy continued to deliver encouraging results, adding that the growth in shipments to regional markets reflected rising demand for its products across West Africa.

On expansion, he said construction and commissioning activities at the company’s new 6Mta Itori plant were at an advanced stage, with completion expected before the end of the year. The plant is expected to strengthen Dangote Cement’s production footprint, expand export capacity and support its long-term ambition of reaching 80Mta in
installed production capacity by 2030.

“Looking ahead, market fundamentals remain favourable and our strategic investments continue to strengthen the business. Combined with our unwavering focus on operational excellence and cost discipline, these factors position us well to sustain our growth trajectory and continue creating lasting value for our shareholders,” he added.

The Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer, with 55.0Mta capacity across the continent. The company operates a fully integrated quarry-to-customer model and has 35.25Mta production capacity in Nigeria, including plants in Obajana, Ibese, Gboko and Okpella.

The Nigerian government has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) as a cornerstone of her ambition to build a $1 trillion economy.

In a company statement, the 700,000 barrels-per-day credited the government with pledging deeper collaboration with the private sector to accelerate industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation.

It cited the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, with the statement on Thursday after leading a high-level delegation from the Ministry on an extensive tour of the DPRP complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Lagos.

The Minister described the integrated industrial complex as one of the most significant investments in Africa and a model for the type of industrial development required to drive Nigeria’s economic growth aspirations.

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According to Enoh, the visit further reinforced the central role of large-scale manufacturing in the successful implementation of the Nigeria Industrial Policy, unveiled earlier this year.

“You cannot be Minister in charge of Industry and not visit the Dangote Refinery,” Enoh stated. “This facility matters because of what it represents for Nigerian industry, for our people and for the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a one trillion-dollar economy.”

He said the refinery has emerged as a powerful symbol of value addition, industrial competitiveness and Nigeria’s growing manufacturing capability.

“The more a country adds value to its products, the more respect it earns globally. The Dangote Refinery stands today as one of the strongest demonstrations of that principle,” he said.

The Minister noted that the refinery has fundamentally changed global perceptions of Nigeria by helping to transform the country from a major importer of refined petroleum products into an exporter serving international markets.

“When global supply disruptions occurred, Nigeria was able to export petroleum products to markets in the Middle East and beyond. That is an extraordinary achievement and one that deserves recognition,” he added.

Enoh, who was accompanied by directors, regulators and heads of agencies under the Ministry, said the delegation gained a deeper appreciation of the scale, technological sophistication and strategic importance of the facilities.

“I brought members of my team here because I wanted them to see firsthand what this investment represents. It has been a humbling and enlightening experience. We leave with greater knowledge and an even stronger commitment to supporting industrial development in Nigeria.”

He also dismissed concerns over the refinery’s single-train configuration, noting that operations remained uninterrupted even during maintenance activities.

“The issues surrounding the single-train configuration are much clearer now. Even during scheduled maintenance, operations continued,” he said.

The Minister pledged that the Ministry and its agencies would remain strong advocates of the refinery and the broader industrialisation agenda, adding that the government would continue to engage Dangote Industries Limited through the Industrial Revolution Work Group and ministerial roundtables to address challenges facing manufacturers, particularly access to affordable long-term financing.

He further commended Aliko Dangote for supporting the launch of the Nigeria Industrial Policy, describing him as “Nigeria’s foremost industrialist” whose contributions would be vital to achieving the country’s manufacturing targets.

The policy aims to increase manufacturing’s contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to approximately 20 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2035.

“We want to be judged by the extent to which we implement this policy. Achieving these targets will require a strong partnership between government and industry leaders like Aliko Dangote,” Enoh stated.

Speaking during the visit, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, urged the Federal Government to place industrialisation at the centre of its economic strategy, insisting that no nation has attained prosperity without a strong manufacturing base.

“There is no way to create jobs and prosperity without industrialisation,” Dangote said. “The greatest attraction for foreign investors is the success of domestic investors. When local investors thrive, they send a powerful signal that the environment is conducive for investment.”

The industrialist revealed that Dangote Industries recently raised an unsecured and unrated bond at rates below Nigeria’s sovereign benchmark, demonstrating growing investor confidence in credible Nigerian private-sector institutions.

According to him, the successful fundraising underscores the ability of Nigerian companies to mobilise long-term capital when supported by stable and predictable government policies.
Dangote also praised Senator Enoh’s dedication to industrial development.

“We have worked with many Ministers of Industry over the years, but I can confidently say that his commitment is exceptional. His ministry will play a critical role in attracting investment, creating jobs and driving the President’s one trillion-dollar economy agenda.”

He emphasized that policy consistency remains the most important factor in attracting investment, stressing that frequent policy reversals undermine investor confidence more than the absence of incentives.

Reflecting on the refinery project, Dangote described it as the biggest business risk of his life, recalling how many financiers doubted the project would ever be completed.

Despite challenges ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and foreign exchange volatility to skepticism from lenders, he said the successful delivery of the refinery demonstrates the capacity of Nigerian entrepreneurs to execute projects of global significance.

“What we have achieved here has never been done before on this scale. Once one person succeeds, many others will be encouraged to follow,” he said.

Dangote disclosed that the refinery, at full capacity, will account for the equivalent of about 10 per cent of the United States’ refining capacity and consume approximately 2.5 per cent of globally traded crude oil.

He urged the government to continue supporting indigenous investors, describing them as the country’s most important drivers of employment, foreign exchange generation and long-term economic resilience.

“If Nigeria is to achieve sustainable growth and become a trillion-dollar economy, industrialisation must be the foundation. Indigenous investors remain the strongest catalysts for that transformation,” Dangote stated.

The Dangote Cement Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable business practices, environmental stewardship, and responsible growth across Africa, as the company continues to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

The company’s sustainability strategy remains focused on reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, promoting diversity and inclusion, supporting local communities, and creating long-term value for stakeholders across its ten African markets.

As part of its decarbonisation and green logistics agenda, Dangote Cement is expanding its alternative-energy transportation programme through the acquisition of an additional 1,500 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. The initiative is designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve operational efficiency, and reduce dependence on conventional diesel-powered transportation.

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The company also reported significant progress in its environmental performance, earning an upgraded “B” rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its climate and water management initiatives, reflecting growing international recognition of its sustainability efforts.

According to the company, energy optimisation remains a key pillar of its sustainability strategy, with a favourable energy mix contributing to lower production costs while supporting efforts to reduce its carbon footprint across operations.

Commenting on the company’s sustainability agenda, Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director/CEO of Dangote Cement Plc, said: “At Dangote Cement, sustainability is not a standalone initiative; it is embedded in the way we operate, invest and grow. As we expand our footprint across Africa, we remain committed to reducing our environmental impact through cleaner energy sources, improved operational efficiency and innovative logistics solutions such as our growing CNG-powered fleet. Our goal is to create lasting value for shareholders while supporting the transition to a more sustainable and resilient future for Africa.”

He added: “We recognize that cement is essential for Africa’s development and infrastructure growth. Therefore, our responsibility is not only to produce quality cement but to do so in a way that minimizes emissions, conserves resources, protects the environment and delivers meaningful benefits to our host communities. Sustainability remains central to our strategy for long-term growth and value creation.”

Dangote Cement’s sustainability agenda extends beyond environmental performance to strong corporate governance and social responsibility. The company maintains a diverse Board with 28 per cent female representation and directors drawn from seven different nationalities, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion, diversity and global best practices in governance.

The company also continues to align its sustainability initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on responsible industrialisation, climate action, economic growth and community development.

The company noted that its sustainability performance complements a resilient business model that continues to create shared value for investors, employees, customers, host communities and governments across the continent. The company remains focused on transforming Africa’s industrial landscape while advancing its ambition of becoming one of the most sustainable cement manufacturers globally.

Among others, some of the company’s sustainability highlights include CDP rating upgraded to B for climate and water management, Acquisition of 1,500 additional CNG trucks to support low-carbon transportation and emissions reduction, Continued investment in energy efficiency initiatives across operations, 28% female Board representation and directors from seven nationalities, Sustainability initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).