Business
Dangote Cement Unveils Sustainability Milestones
The Dangote Cement Plc has unveiled a robust sustainability scorecard that underscores its commitment to responsible growth, as the company positions environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles as being the heart of its drive towards becoming Africa’s most sustainable and globally competitive cement manufacturer
The company reaffirmed to shareholders and other stakeholders its commitment to sustainable industrialization, while outlining sustainability strategies that align with the broader Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) Vision 2030.
Presenting the company’s 2025 Sustainability scorecard at its 17th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh highlighted how sustainability has evolved in the Company from a compliance requirement into a core business strategy that supports growth, resilience and long-term value creation across Africa.
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As part of its decarbonization agenda, the company in 2024 approved plans to further reduce net carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions intensity by 20 per cent, while accelerating the transition to cleaner transportation. “By 2027, all fleet trucks operating in Nigeria—except at the Gboko plant—will run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), with electric trucks scheduled for introduction in 2026” he stated.
The Cement giant also announced plans to strengthen its position as Africa’s leading cement exporter through expanded port infrastructure at Apapa, Onne and Lekki, while pursuing capacity expansion programmes that will increase installed production capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2030, including new footprints in Botswana and Zimbabwe. These initiatives support Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 ambition of building a globally competitive industrial powerhouse rooted in sustainability and innovation.
On its people-centred growth sustainability drive, Dangote Cement reported significant progress in human capital development and social impact, creating 625 direct green jobs across its operations while increasing social investment spending by 56 percent. Graduate trainee recruitment also rose by 74 percent, underscoring the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of African industrial talent.
Supporting this commitment, the company invested ₦2.1 billion in employee training and development, reinforcing its ambition to become the employer of choice across its operating countries by fostering a high-performance and inclusive workplace culture.
On Climate action, the company reported measurable progress in reducing its environmental footprint, achieving a 6.5 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions intensity from its 2021 baseline. Energy efficiency also improved, with energy intensity reduced by 1.7 percent and overall energy consumption declining by 4 per cent. Water consumption fell by 8 per cent during the period under review.
These environmental achievements build on Dangote Cement’s decarbonisation strategies such as the use of alternative fuels, energy efficiency and reduction in clinker factor which integrates climate objectives into long-term capital investment decisions and positions the company among Africa’s leading industrial players in the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
In the governance space, Dangote Cement enhanced its ESG risk management framework through the onboarding of an Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Policy, Biodiversity, Disability Inclusion policy and the integration of 297 local vendors into its ESG-focused supply chain programme.
Amid excitement from the shareholders, the company boss noted that sustainability governance has matured significantly over the past decade, with executive accountability mechanisms, climate risk oversight and ESG performance management now firmly embedded within operational and strategic decision-making processes.
He also spoke on circular economy and biodiversity during which he highlighted major achievements in resource stewardship and environmental conservation. According to him, Dangote Cement has intensified the expansion of its DangCircular initiative, which promotes waste reduction, recycling and circular economy practices across its operations. “The company co-processed more than 437,000 tonnes of waste as alternative fuel, reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels while improving resource efficiency.”
In a major biodiversity initiative, during the 2025 financial year the Company launched the Dangote Tree-to-Forest Programme across all operational locations. The programme aims to afforest 200 hectares of land in each country of operation over five years through the planting of 700 trees per hectare, reinforcing efforts to restore ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience through carbon sequestration.
Reflecting on the company’s sustainability evolution, Dangote Cement traced its journey to 2017 when it established the Dangote Seven Sustainability Pillars and began reporting in line with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
Since then, the company has introduced sustainability champions programmes, executive ESG accountability systems, climate disclosure frameworks, alternative fuel projects, biodiversity restoration initiatives and enterprise-wide sustainability policies that have progressively integrated ESG considerations into every aspect of the business.
The company’s climate governance efforts have also resulted in improved ESG ratings with internationally recognised disclosure bodies such as the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Currently the company has scored a B in climate and water security disclosures. The company has also committed to voluntary adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Standards before it becomes mandatory.
Dangote Cement management declared sustainability as the Engine of Vision 2030 pointing out that its sustainability roadmap is a critical enabler of Dangote Industries Limited’s Vision 2030 and serves as the mechanism through which industrial expansion is aligned with environmental stewardship, social progress and corporate resilience.
According to the company, sustainability creates strategic value by ensuring workforce development keeps pace with industrial growth, climate objectives guide investment decisions, governance strengthens enterprise resilience, and natural capital protection supports long-term business continuity.
“Growth with embedded sustainability creates enduring industrial leadership,” the company noted, stressing that its roadmap operationalizes Vision 2030 by translating ambition into practical priorities across people, climate, systems and nature.
Africa’s leading Cement manufacturer said it remains committed to leading positive change by combining industrial expansion with responsible business practices, reinforcing its position as a key driver of Africa’s infrastructure development, economic transformation and environmental stewardship.
As Dangote Cement accelerates its transition toward a low-carbon, technology-driven and export-led business model, the company said it remains well-positioned to deliver sustainable long-term value for shareholders.
Ikazoboh said “As we build Africa’s largest and most sustainable cement business, we are creating a platform for long-term growth, resilience and shareholder value. Our sustainability strategy is not separate from our business strategy—it is the foundation upon which we will achieve Vision 2030. We invite investors to join us as we expand our footprint, deepen our export leadership, and shape the future of sustainable industrialisation across Africa.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for stronger international investment partnerships as he pitched Lagos as a strategic gateway for global investment into Africa.
Sanwo-Olu made the call while speaking at the Global Africa Business Initiative’s Unstoppable Africa 2026 in New York, where global business leaders, investors, policymakers and heads of government gathered to discuss ways of strengthening African businesses and expanding the continent’s economies.
The 2026 edition of the event was held on September 20 and 21 at the New York Marriott Marquis, on the sidelines of the opening of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
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The governor highlighted Lagos’ large population, expanding market, infrastructure needs, entrepreneurial ecosystem and strategic position as key factors that create opportunities for investors seeking to participate in Africa’s economic growth.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that Lagos’ growing global relevance should translate into tangible benefits for residents through investments in infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, enterprise development and other sectors.
He said the state remained open to international capital, strategic partnerships and private-sector participation, with the goal of building partnerships capable of delivering measurable economic value across Lagos.
According to the governor, Lagos is pursuing a development agenda that combines long-term economic growth with efforts to address the everyday needs of its residents while creating an environment where businesses can establish, expand and compete.
A key feature of the governor’s presentation was the promotion of Invest Lagos, the flagship investment promotion initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.
The engagement followed the successful Invest Lagos 3.0 summit held in Lagos in June under the theme, “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa.”
The summit brought together global investors, policymakers, development institutions and business leaders to explore opportunities in infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, trade, finance and the creative economy.
Sanwo-Olu’s participation at Unstoppable Africa 2026 further provided an international platform for Lagos to showcase its investment opportunities and seek partnerships aimed at attracting global capital to the state.
The Nigerian equities market closed Friday’s trading session on a negative note, with the All-Share Index declining by 0.38 per cent to close at 252,113.41 points.
According to the Nigerian Exchange Group’s Daily Market Snapshot for Friday, September 25, 2026, equity market capitalisation stood at ₦163.65 trillion, representing a 0.01 per cent decline.
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The fixed-income market capitalisation also fell by 0.01 per cent to ₦58.74 trillion, while the market capitalisation of Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) declined by 2.15 per cent to ₦57.77 billion.
Meanwhile, the top five gainers were led by a stock that rose 10 per cent to close at ₦17.60, followed by CMFC, which gained 9.76 per cent to ₦3.26. Briscoe rose 9.74 per cent to ₦10.70, ABC Transport gained 9.68 per cent to ₦5.10, while Royal Exchange increased by 9.09 per cent to ₦1.08.
The figures were contained in the NGX Daily Market Snapshot released at the close of trading on Friday.
More than 100 Chinese original equipment manufacturers are being wooed for investment, technology and manufacturing capacity to aid growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) made the disclosure through its Director, Project Certification and Authorisation Division and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Austin Uzoka.
This was detailed in a statement issued by the Board which stated that Uzoka was representing the Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, at the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit in Chengdu, China, where he made the disclosure.
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According to Ogbe, the board was seeking to move the relationship between Nigerian oil and gas operators and Chinese manufacturers beyond the conventional buyer-seller model to investment, manufacturing, technology transfer and integration into global supply chains.
He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act (NOGCDA) guaranteed patronage for oil and gas equipment manufacturing facilities established in Nigeria, adding that such investments could also provide access to opportunities across the Gulf of Guinea.
“We are looking beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. What can we build together? We want Chinese companies to see Nigeria not simply as a market for their products, but as a strategic investment destination, a platform for manufacturing and technology development, and a gateway to opportunities across the wider African market,” he said.
He highlighted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGPS) as a platform for Chinese original equipment manufacturers to establish manufacturing, assembly and service operations in Nigeria.
He said the scheme would provide opportunities for technology transfer, technical arrangements and the integration of Nigerian businesses into the supply chains of Chinese companies.
The ES also identified China’s capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure as areas that could support Nigeria’s industrial development.
“China has developed tremendous capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure. We want to explore how those capabilities can be connected with the opportunities that exist in Nigeria, for mutual benefits,” he added.
Nigeria’s local content policy had evolved from increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects to a broader industrial development agenda focused on manufacturing, technology ownership and global competitiveness, he pointed out.
“Nigeria’s local content journey has evolved significantly since the local content law was enacted in 2010. What began primarily as an effort to increase Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry has developed into a broader industrial development agenda focused on building capabilities, deepening manufacturing, promoting technology ownership and positioning Nigerian businesses to compete within regional and global markets,” he observed.
The engagement formed part of Nigeria’s participation in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, held from September 20 to 23 at the Chengdu Century City International Conference Centre.
The summit, themed ‘Empowering Efficient and Green Development via Intelligent Technologies, Innovating to Lead the Shale Oil and Gas Revolution’, provided a platform for Nigerian oil and gas stakeholders to showcase investment opportunities in manufacturing, technology and oil and gas services.
According to the NCDMB, several Chinese OEMs expressed interest in exploring business relationships with Nigerian companies and participating in the country’s growing oil and gas manufacturing ecosystem.
In her closing remarks, the General Manager, Midstream, PCAD, Ms Lekoma Phimia, urged stakeholders to build on the connections established at the session to develop commercially viable and sustainable business relationships.
The NCDMB also used the exhibition to provide prospective investors and industry players with information on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, local content opportunities and avenues for establishing operations in the country.
The board said the Chengdu engagement was part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s international industrial connections and advance the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICDA).
It added that its focus was to move the local content agenda from participation to capability, manufacturing, and ultimately technology ownership and regional competitiveness.
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