Business
How Dangote Cement Tackles Africa’s Waste, Climate Change Issues
. . . Africa Cement Trade Summit Opens In Abidjan
The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak has opened up to industry players on how the company is at the forefront to save the environment through sustainable production of cement with the utilisation of Alternative Fuels (AF).
He made the disclosure at the 12th Africa Cement Trade Summit (ACTS), which kicked off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
According to Pathak, cement production is an energy-intensive process which consumes thermal energy of about 3.3GJ/tonne of clinker produced, and its electrical energy consumption is in the region of about 90 – 120kWh/tonne of cement.
He maintained that decarbonisation was no longer an option but a necessity, with the use of alternative fuels, such as municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastes, in the place of fossil fuels, which have been effective in emissions reduction.
Pathak was delivering a paper titled “Utilisation of Alternative Fuels as a Strategy for Sustainable Cement production in Africa” at the Summit organised by the Singapore-based Center for Management.
The summit had in attendance cement companies’ Chief Executives, Cement Industry Service Providers and other critical sector stakeholders from across the world.
According to the Dangote Cement CE, who was represented by the Group’s Head of Sustainability, Dr. Igazeuma Okoroba, AF as opposed to fossil fuels emit less CO2 when combusted and that agricultural biomass are known to be carbon neutral.
He noted that with the level of cement consumption worldwide reaching 4.2 billion tonnes in 2020 and as population is projected to grow by 12‑23% in 2050 due to rapid urbanisation, the demand for cement will also grow, therefore the need to prioritise the inclusion of alternative fuels in fuel mix is crucial to address climate change concerns.
He said the cement industry, which provides a vital material to meet Africa’s infrastructure deficit, generates 7% of the world’s CO2 emissions as the cement value chain involves the intensive use of energy for raw materials’ mining, crushing, mixing, drying, firing, clinker grinding, packaging and dispatch to customers.
This, he posited, places a critical demand on fuel sourcing and controlled energy usage, as almost every stage of the cement value chain produces CO2 emissions, with the bulk of emissions emanating from the firing process during clinker production in the kiln.
“From being the world’s largest bulk cement importers to self-sufficiency and now net exporters of cement to other countries, it is therefore not unexpected that Dangote Cement is one of the pioneer African companies in decreasing CO2 emissions through a fuel substitution strategy. Through reporting, Dangote Cement responds to the evolving environmental, and social challenges by disclosing investment priorities and progress on projects that address the issues.
“We also leverage sustainability reporting to ignite market growth. As part of this commitment, we began reporting in 2020 and received an initial rating of C on climate change. As the company’s actions improved, we rose to a B- and then achieved a B+ rating in 2022,” Pathak added.
According to him, “As a multinational present in many African countries, Dangote Group aims to become a regional leader in sustainability. Dangote Cement is dedicated to environmental sustainability and combating climate change. We have implemented a robust Climate Change Policy that aligns our operations with global climate goals. The Environmental Pillars of the company define the ways of entrenching sustainability by identifying, measuring and mitigating actual and potential environmental impacts of operations.”
Pathak revealed that the company’s goal is to continuously improve performance on energy efficiency, waste management, water consumption, and monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions. “As an African business, we believe that utilising alternative fuel is a critical decarbonisation lever for industries to address the continent’s climate change mitigation. Dangote Cement’s Alternative Fuel (AF) Project is an example of this mindset,” he said.
The Dangote Cement boss told his audience that in the wake of global climate shocks, decarbonisation is no longer an option but a necessary component to future-proof businesses in a rapidly changing world. He added that businesses must set clear and detailed short, medium, and long-term targets and decarbonisation strategies for each transition target.
“Indications are that companies that are likely to thrive in this new wave of climate consciousness are not only decarbonising but also thinking about how to shift the business into faster-growing areas.
“Our Board maintains oversight over sustainability reporting, which is essential for corporate success. Through this reporting, Dangote Cement responds to evolving environmental and social challenges by disclosing sustainability commitments and actions. As part of this commitment, we began reporting to the CDP in 2020 and received an initial rating of C on climate change. As the company’s actions improved, we rose to a B- and then achieved a B+ rating in 2022.
“We are one of the pioneer African companies in decreasing CO2 emissions through a fuel substitution strategy. This initiative focuses on substituting fossil fuels by using alternative fuels. The consequences of this strategy are already visible. Biomass and alternative fuels are said to have a lower environmental impact compared to conventional fuels but may produce some emissions.
“Dangote Cement’s efforts in providing access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing are consolidated in the Dangote seven sustainability pillars, themed “The Dangote Way”. Through the drive of the leadership on sustainability, we have a compelling challenge for deliberate programmes for the substitution of fossil fuels, with AF. This also contributes to Nigeria’s CO2 reduction commitments by 2060″, he added.
While admitting that the emissions challenge will tarry in the industry for a while, Pathak expressed optimism that the cement industry will continue to contribute to tackling climate change, besides the consequential benefit of CO2 emission abatement.
He noted that as urbanisation contributes to increase waste generated, Sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to become the prevalent region globally in terms of total waste generation, if the current trend persists. Low-income countries have also been at the receiving end of hazardous wastes from waste trades, which further compounded the waste situation.
“The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) which is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous chemicals, describes the firing hazardous waste in cement kilns as the best available technique for treating dangerous waste because most cement kilns possess the conditions and equipment to treat hazardous waste. This is where Dangote Cement provides the solution to Africa’s waste problem”, he asserted.
“Beyond the management of Africa’s waste, AF is a lever to decarbonise cement manufacturing process. Regarding cost and policies in Africa, other options are improving the energy mix with increased use of transitional fuels, efficiency in cement production, design optimisation, and decarbonisation via CO2 sinks, such as reforestation and renewable energy for power generation,” he concluded.
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.
NIPCO Group has announced plans to develop a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in Nigeria, with the proposed development estimated to require more than $3bn in investment.
This statement was made at a press conference on Thursday by the Managing Director of NIPCO Group, Nagendra Verma, who said the proposed project would have an envisaged LNG production capacity of approximately three million tonnes per annum, subject to the outcome of feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and a final investment decision.
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Verma said the project, which would mark NIPCO’s entry into the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector, was being considered for locations in the Escravos area of Delta State and the Akwa Ibom region.
“This proposed development is envisaged to comprise an FLNG facility along with associated marine and export infrastructure with the potential to serve both the international LNG market and growing domestic LNG demand in Nigeria. The proposed project is presently envisaged to produce LNG unified LNG of approximately 3 million L per annum, 3 million metric tons per annum. The proposed development is expected to represent a significant investment currently estimated in excess of $3bn.
“The final location shall be determined subsequent to the ongoing feasibility study. We are looking at strategic locations that will facilitate access to upstream gas resources, LNG processing, marine transportation and both international and domestic markets,” he said.
According to him, NIPCO had been evaluating the proposed FLNG project for the past six to nine months and was currently undertaking preliminary technical, commercial and feasibility assessments.
“We are considering various development concepts, technology solutions, financing structures and commercial options with a view to establishing a technically robust and commercially sustainable project,” Verma said.
He said the proposed development would comprise an FLNG facility alongside associated marine and export infrastructure, with the potential to serve international LNG markets as well as Nigeria’s growing domestic gas demand.
“The project is presently envisaged to have an LNG production capacity of approximately three million tonnes per annum.
“However, this remains subject to the outcome of the ongoing feasibility and technical studies, project economics, regulatory approvals and final investment decisions,” he said.
Verma said NIPCO was also evaluating the shipping and logistics infrastructure required to support both export and domestic LNG supply.
The Managing Director said the ongoing assessment covers upstream gas supply and reserves, FLNG technology and configuration, LNG production capacity, marine and export infrastructure, domestic LNG supply opportunities, shipping and logistics requirements, project economics and financing structure.
FCT Generates More IGR Than Six North Central States Combined in Three Years
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) generated more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) than the six states in the North Central geopolitical zone combined between 2023 and 2025, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The FCT recorded a total IGR of ₦849.80 billion during the three-year period, while Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue collectively generated ₦704.42 billion.
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The FCT recorded steady growth in its internally generated revenue throughout the period, rising from ₦211.10 billion in 2023 to ₦282.36 billion in 2024, before reaching ₦356.34 billion in 2025.
For the six North Central states, combined IGR stood at ₦176.55 billion in 2023, increased to ₦214.96 billion in 2024 and rose further to ₦312.91 billion in 2025.
Kwara State recorded the highest cumulative IGR among the six states, generating ₦226.20 billion over the three years.
It was followed by Niger with ₦122.71 billion, Kogi with ₦102.73 billion, Plateau with ₦102.08 billion, Nasarawa with ₦81.58 billion, and Benue with ₦69.12 billion.
The FCT’s three-year IGR was therefore about ₦145.38 billion higher than the combined revenue of the six North Central states.
The figures also show that the combined IGR of the six states increased substantially in 2025, when their total reached ₦312.91 billion, compared with ₦214.96 billion in 2024.
See full list below:
North Central States — Three-Year IGR (2023–2025)
Kwara — ₦226.20 billion
Niger — ₦122.71 billion
Kogi — ₦102.73 billion
Plateau — ₦102.08 billion
Nasarawa — ₦81.58 billion
Benue — ₦69.12 billion
North Central Total — ₦704.42 billion
By Year:
2023 — ₦176.55 billion
2024 — ₦214.96 billion
2025 — ₦312.91 billion
FCT:
2023 — ₦211.10 billion
2024 — ₦282.36 billion
2025 — ₦356.34 billion
Three-year total — ₦849.80 billion
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