By Abasi Ita
Lafarge Africa Plc has unveiled plans to expand its Sagamu Cement Plant in Ogun State and Ashaka Cement Plant in Gombe State, aiming to boost local cement production while integrating modern, energy-efficient technologies for greener operations.
The announcement, made through a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public, was signed by the company’s Secretary, Adewunmi Alode.
The planned expansions will feature the installation of dry process plants with preheater kilns, vertical raw mills, and roller presses for cement mills. These upgrades are designed to enhance energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact.
Once completed, the Ashaka Cement Plant is projected to reach an annual production capacity of two million metric tonnes, while the Sagamu Cement Plant will expand to 3.5 million metric tonnes. The development is expected to improve product availability and strengthen Lafarge Africa’s ability to serve customers across key markets.
The expansion follows Huaxin Building Materials Group’s acquisition of an 83.81 percent stake in Lafarge Africa Plc last year, signaling the new majority shareholder’s commitment to Nigeria’s infrastructure growth.
Speaking on the development, Group Managing Director and CEO, Lolu Alade Akinyemi, said the expansion reflects the company’s confidence in Nigeria’s economic potential and its commitment to supporting national construction needs.
He noted that the initiative goes beyond increasing production capacity, emphasizing operational efficiency, sustainability, and value creation for both customers and shareholders, while also generating jobs in local communities.
“The expansion of our plants is a strategic investment that reinforces Lafarge Africa’s role in supporting national development. By increasing capacity at our flagship plants, we are strengthening our supply chain, improving responsiveness to market demand, and positioning the business to better support critical sectors such as housing, commercial construction, and infrastructure,” Akinyemi said.
He further highlighted that the adoption of modern production technologies will boost operational efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance, consistent with the company’s commitment to responsible operations.
Lafarge Africa reiterated its focus on disciplined execution of the projects and transparent engagement with stakeholders as it continues to invest in expanding its footprint across Nigeria.
Now part of Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd, Lafarge Africa Plc is listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group and operates cement plants across Nigeria’s South West, North East, and South East regions, with a total installed production capacity of 10.5 million metric tonnes per annum.