Nigeria is set to earn no less than $500 million annually from cement exports alone, according to Aliko Dangote, Founder and President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group.
In a recent interview, Dangote emphasized how strategic industrial policies and backward integration have positioned Nigeria as a growing manufacturing and export hub—not only for cement but also for other key commodities.
“Nigeria is now the largest exporter of cement in Africa,” Dangote stated. “When we complete our new factory, it will be entirely dedicated to exports. Nigeria will earn at least $500 million annually from cement exports alone.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s industrial transformation, Dangote cited cement as a prime example of what’s achievable when bold government policies align with private sector commitment. He recounted a pivotal early-morning call from former President Olusegun Obasanjo that catalyzed Nigeria’s backward integration strategy in the cement industry.
“President Obasanjo called me at 4:30 a.m. and said, ‘Aliko, Nigeria is number two in cement imports. I’m not going to allow this to continue. What do we do?’ I told him, remove my Dangote cap and let me speak for Nigeria.”
The resulting policy shift required any company importing cement to also invest in local production facilities. “That policy changed everything,” Dangote said. “We were small then, but our bankers believed in us. We built a five-million-tonne plant while Nigeria was producing 31.9 million tonnes. Today, we produce over 60 million tonnes.”
He also stressed the importance of industrial self-reliance across Africa. “If we continue to import, we’re importing poverty and exporting jobs,” he warned. “To create employment and real economic value, we must process our raw materials before exporting them.”
