By Tina Ezin
Lafarge Africa Plc has announced plans to expand its Sagamu Cement Plant in Ogun State and Ashaka Cement Plant in Gombe State, as part of efforts to strengthen local cement production, boost capacity and improve operational sustainability across its facilities.
The company disclosed that the new production lines will deploy modern dry-process technology, including preheater kilns, vertical raw mills and roller presses for cement mills, aimed at improving energy efficiency and environmental performance.
In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), signed by the Company Secretary, Adewunmi Alode, Lafarge Africa stated that the expansion projects are expected to raise production capacity at Ashaka Cement Plant to about 2 million metric tonnes per annum and 3.5 million metric tonnes per annum at the Sagamu facility upon completion.
The development is projected to improve product availability and strengthen the company’s ability to serve customers across key markets.
The expansion follows last year’s acquisition of 83.81 per cent stake in Lafarge Africa Plc by Huaxin Building Materials Group, a move the company said underscores renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s infrastructure and construction sector.
Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said the projects reflect the company’s long-term confidence in Nigeria’s economic growth and infrastructure needs.
He explained that beyond increasing production capacity, the investment would deliver operational and sustainability benefits while supporting value creation for customers and shareholders, as well as stimulating economic activity and job creation in host communities.
According to him, the expansion will strengthen the company’s supply chain, improve responsiveness to market demand and enhance support for key sectors such as housing, commercial construction and infrastructure development.
Lafarge Africa Plc, now a member of Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd, operates cement plants in Ogun, Gombe and Cross River states, with ready-mix operations in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
The company currently has an installed cement production capacity of 10.5 million metric tonnes per annum in Nigeria.
