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.”
The Nigerian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) now have extra motivation to offer exceptional impact, accountability and governance as long-term funding beckons.
This is because the NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited Joint Venture has launched ‘Impact FIRST: Heritage’, a new multi-year grant programme designed to provide sustained funding and long-term partnership support to outstanding NGOs.
Biztellers reports that the inaugural Impact FIRST: Heritage Grant Presentation Ceremony was held recently in Ikoyi, Lagos, had representatives of the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P JV, beneficiary organisations, development stakeholders and members of the media in attendance to mark a new chapter in the JV’s commitment to sustainable social investment.
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Impact FIRST: Heritage builds on the success of the flagship Impact FIRST grant programme, which was launched in 2024 to support innovative and impactful NGOs addressing critical social challenges across Nigeria. Since inception, the programme has provided support to 15 NGOs whose interventions have positively impacted more than 20,000 beneficiaries across the country.
Unlike the annual Impact FIRST grant programme, which provides one-off funding support to a broad pool of eligible organisations, Impact FIRST: Heritage is designed as a long-term partnership model.
The programme provides multi-year funding to previous Impact FIRST beneficiaries that have demonstrated strong institutional governance, measurable social impact, sustainable programme delivery and the capacity to scale their interventions responsibly.
Following a rigorous assessment process, five organisations were selected as the inaugural beneficiaries of the Impact FIRST: Heritage programme, including The IREDE Foundation, which provides prosthetic limbs and support services for child amputees; Asido Foundation, which supports the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals living with severe mental health conditions; Cerebral Palsy Centre, which provides long-term care and support services for persons living with cerebral palsy; Health and Development Support Programme, which delivers eye care interventions and sight-restoring surgeries for underserved populations; and Health Emergency Initiative, which expands access to emergency healthcare services and supports first-responder capacity development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Director, Corporate Services, FIRST E&P, Emmanuel Etomi, described Impact FIRST: Heritage as an important evolution of the Joint Venture’s social investment journey.
“Today, we celebrate five exceptional organisations whose work continues to improve lives, strengthen communities, and create opportunities for some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.
“By providing long-term support to organisations that have already demonstrated strong performance and measurable results, we are helping them scale their impact, strengthen their capacity, and create even greater value for the communities they serve,” he said.
In his address, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Olanrewaju Igandan, who was represented by Usman Mohammed-Bello, Advisor, Community Relations, NUIMS, at the event, said the transition from an annual corporate giving programme to a multi-year grant framework reflects a mature, strategic approach to social investment that aligns with the imperatives of sustainable development.
While appreciating FIRST E&P for what he termed a “forward-looking initiative”, he further pledged NUIMS’ commitment to sustaining the collaborative journey towards impactful social value creation that aligns with national development priorities.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiary organisations, Pascal Achunine, Executive Director of the Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), expressed appreciation to the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P JV for the support and confidence reposed in the selected organisations.
He remarked that, “this investment represents more than funding. It is a vote of confidence in the work being done by organisations across the social sector to improve lives and strengthen communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our impact and extend our reach to even more beneficiaries.”
Impact FIRST: Heritage underscores the NNPC Limited/FIRST E&P JV’s commitment to creating sustainable social value through strategic partnerships with organisations that have demonstrated the ability to deliver measurable and lasting change.
Through the programme, the JV aims to strengthen proven interventions, expand access to critical services, and support long-term development outcomes across healthcare, education, economic empowerment and community development.
Stakeholders in the oil and gas sector have welcomed the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) projection that Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector is to attract between $30 billion and $50 billion in offshore investments between 2026 and 2030.
According to the Commission, the investment pipeline will be driven by 22 major offshore projects expected to boost crude oil production, create jobs, expand energy infrastructure, and strengthen the country’s energy security.
They believe that achieving these milestones will require peace and stability in the Niger Delta and protection of national assets, especially oil pipelines through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd (TSSNL) operations.
Nigeria is determined to achieve $30 billion and $50 billion in offshore investments between 2026 and 2030 is real, according to the (NUPRC).
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The NUPRC attributed the improved outlook to reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), improved licensing transparency, and faster project approvals.
Since 2024, the regulator has approved more than $57 billion in Field Development Plans (FDP), with several projects already progressing to Final Investment Decisions (FID).
The Commission also said preparations for the 2026 Licensing Round are underway as it seeks to attract further investment into Nigeria’s upstream sector. The planned projects are expected to support the government’s target of increasing crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day by 2027 and 3 million barrels per day by 2030.
Gaining the oil sector backing in this milestone journey requires more than policy pronouncements from the NUPRC.
It requires investment drive, attractiveness to global energy markets and support of domestic players in the industry.
President General, Niger Delta Progressive Alliance, Nse Victor Udoh, said to effectively harness the oil revenue requires that the Niger Delta, a region severally described as the goose that lays the golden eggs, must also be at peace and oil infrastructure across the region well secured.
He explained that it is where the Federal Government of Nigeria’s appointment of the TSSNL to protect oil assets and ensure peace and stability in the Niger Delta comes to play.
He added that the singular act will contribute positively to achieving $30 billion and $50 billion in offshore investments between 2026 and 2030, as predicted by the NUPRC.
The desire for a transparent investment framework offering hopes of unlocking up to $50 billion in deep offshore investment and restarting Nigeria’s large, capital-intensive offshore developments that have been stalled for long has seen President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sanction a landmark reform that replaces project-by-project negotiations.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the reform establishes a transparent, rules-based investment framework capable of supporting the next generation of deep offshore developments, beginning with the approximately $10 billion Bonga South West project, while strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness for globally mobile investment capital.
The decision, the statement said, builds on Tinubu’s engagement with the Chief Executive Officer of Shell PLC, Wael Sawan, during which the President directed the development of the next wave of measures required to unlock Nigeria’s deep offshore investment pipeline.
Rather than pursuing project-specific solutions, the federal government transformed that directive into a comprehensive investment framework applicable across multiple categories of qualifying developments, it said.
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Given effect through the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026, the framework replaces project-by-project negotiations with transparent eligibility criteria, clear implementation processes and a durable investment architecture that provides greater certainty for investors while safeguarding long-term national value.
The approval also enables the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), as the government’s nominated counterparty under the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) to proceed with the necessary amendments to eligible PSCs required to implement the framework.
Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), the NNPC Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), investing partners and other industry stakeholders whose collaboration, technical expertise and commitment helped shape the framework.
Tinubu said: “The countries that attract long-term investment are not necessarily those with the greatest natural resources. They are the ones that provide the greatest certainty. This reform reflects our determination to build an investment environment defined by clear rules, strong institutions and enduring partnerships.
“We are creating the conditions for capital to flow, for Nigerian businesses to grow, for our people to prosper and for our natural resources to deliver lasting national value.”
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