Dangote Cement has officially launched its operations in Attingué, some 30 kilometres from Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

According to a statement by the group on Sunday, the announcement was made on Wednesday by the Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Ivory Coast, Serge Gbotta, at the Novotel Abidjan-Marcory.

Covering an area of 50 hectares, the plant reportedly has a production capacity of 3 million tonnes of cement per year, making it one of the group’s largest facilities outside Nigeria.

“This strategic project, with an estimated investment of 100bn CFA francs, embodies Aliko Dangote’s vision of building a self-sufficient Africa that is less dependent on imports and capable of transforming its resources into world-class finished products.

“With this facility, Ivory Coast becomes the 11th African country to host a Dangote Cement production unit. The group, which has a total capacity of 55 million tonnes per year on the continent, intends to contribute to the development of Ivorian infrastructure and meet the growing demand for construction materials, driven by rapid urbanisation and major construction projects in the country.

“According to forecasts, the Attingué plant could generate more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. This represents a significant boost for young people in Ivory Coast, but also for the ecosystem of local SMEs – transporters, building tradespeople, retailers, suppliers and subcontractors,” the statement read partly.

 At the launch of the facility, the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Cement Ivory Coast said, “Our ambition is clear: to offer Ivorians internationally-standard cement, produced locally, at a competitive price. The Attingué plant is not just an industrial unit; it is a symbol of confidence in the future of Ivory Coast and a commitment to sustainable development alongside local communities.”