The Dangote Group has announced plans to build a cement factory in Yamba, southern Congo, valued at $292.9 million following a meeting with the Congo’s President, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Dangote stated that the factory is expected to add over 1.5 million tonnes of cement annually to the company’s current output of 20 million tonnes and create over 650 jobs. It will also reduce the country’s importation of cement and position it as a major exporter, increasing its foreign earnings.

Last weekend, whilst receiving a delegation of the Kenyan government led by the Deputy President, Mr. William Ruto, at the Obajana Cement plant in Kogi Stat, Alhai Aliko Dangote stated that the Conglomerate would invest over $600m in the establishment of a cement factory in Kenya as soon as operations licence is issued to them. “The project will help the country significantly reduce the imports of cement and even enable us become a net exporter of cement while boosting economic growth, development, job creation and income generation,” Rodolphe Adada, Minister of Industrial Development and Private Sector Promotion stated.

The construction of the plant will last for two and half years and will contribute to Dangote’s target of 50 million tonnes of annual output by 2016.He said the cement factory would have capacity for three million tonnes per annum, adding that all arrangements had been concluded by the group for its establishment.