In a major display of appreciation and strategic ambition, the Dangote Group has rewarded its top cement distributors with gifts worth a staggering N15 billion. The event, held in Lagos on Wednesday, also served as a platform for President Aliko Dangote to unveil aggressive expansion plans aimed at catapulting the conglomerate to new heights by the end of the decade.
Vision 2030: A Blueprint for Continental Dominance
Aliko Dangote revealed that the lavish distributor rewards and new capacity targets are integral parts of the group's newly launched Vision 2030 strategy. The overarching goal of this vision is to transform the Dangote Group into a $100 billion enterprise through massive industrial expansion and strategic cross-border investments across Africa.
For its core cement business, Dangote announced an audacious target. "Our cement company will end up being at 90 million tons by 2030," he declared. To put this figure into perspective, Dangote emphasized that 90 million tonnes would be 50 per cent more than the entire current cement production of Saudi Arabia, underscoring the scale of the ambition.
Multi-Sector Expansion Beyond Cement
The growth strategy extends far beyond cement. Dangote disclosed that the group has already signed an agreement to massively expand its landmark petroleum refinery in Lagos.
The refinery's capacity is set to jump from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day, with construction work scheduled to begin immediately. "The good news is that we are starting the foundation next week," Dangote told the audience.
Other significant upgrades within the Nigerian industrial complex include:
- Expanding the fertiliser plant from 3 million to 12 million metric tonnes per annum.
- Scaling up the polypropylene plant from 900,000 to 2.4 million tonnes per annum.
He also announced new pan-African projects, including a fertiliser complex in Ethiopia, tank farms in Namibia, and critical pipeline infrastructure to support the distribution of refined products across the continent.
Strengthening Logistics and Distribution Networks
The celebratory event saw distributors across various performance categories receive rewards including CNG-powered trucks, SUVs, and other valuable items. Categories honoured included regional awards, growth awards, best distributor in export sales, and national awards.
Emmanuel Ikazoboh, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Dangote Cement Plc, who assumed the role in 2025, addressed the distributors. He outlined the board's commitment to strengthening the supply chain and optimising distribution networks to support the anticipated higher volumes and ensure efficient delivery across Nigeria and other African markets.
"Part of my vision as chairman of the board is to strengthen our supply chain by optimising our distribution networks and logistics to ensure timely delivery of products to our customers across the continent," Ikazoboh stated.
Dangote added that the group's refined petroleum product loading has averaged between 49 million and 50 million litres daily in recent weeks. The planned deployment of 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered tankers is expected to further revolutionise and strengthen nationwide distribution.
Concluding his address, Aliko Dangote framed the group's ambitions as a mission for Africa's development. "Our ambitions go beyond building factories. It is about building Africa’s capacity to feed itself, power its economy, develop its people, and drive sustainable industrialisation," he said.
