Dangote promises higher returns as shareholders okay N340.8b dividend

Dangote Cement Plc has assured shareholders and other stakeholders of its resolve to keep the company profitable by leveraging strategic innovations for the continuous growth of its investments.

Speaking at the 14th yearly general meeting of the company in Lagos, the Chairman of the company, Aliko Dangote, noted that the prospects for the cement company remain bright, stating that the management will continue to innovate on quality products delivery to millions of its customers across Africa, while touching the lives of its host communities.

Besides, shareholders at the meeting endorse a total dividend of N340.8 billion, translating to N20 per 50 kobo share due to investors of the company for the 2022 financial year.

Dangote said: “We will continue to make sure that we keep our shareholders happy, not only the shareholders, but all our other stakeholders. Our strategy remains steadfast, focused on organic growth in Nigeria and Pan-Africa,\ while ensuring that Africa’s regional integration becomes a reality.

“We will continue to contribute to improving regional trade within Africa by building plants across West and Central Africa, guided by our vision of making the region cement and clinker self-sufficient. In addition, we aim to deliver higher returns and value to our shareholders.”

He pointed out that despite the challenging macroeconomic environment in 2022, the company still made great strides, performed admirably, and remains Africa’s largest and leading cement producer.

Dangote explained that in the face of unexpected challenges in 2022, the company implemented robust cost reduction strategies to manage the inflationary environment, and thus enhanced its competitiveness while maintaining high levels of product quality and customer service delivery.

“In addition, we achieved giant strides in transitioning to cleaner energy, with our cost containment initiative propelling the use of Alternative Fuel (AF) to replace more expensive fossil fuels, such as coal and gas. We also increased the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for our trucks due to the rising diesel cost environment.

“These efforts have helped us reduce our cost base and enhanced our flexibility, enabling the Company to respond more effectively to changes in the market.”
As a result, we recorded revenue and EBITDA growth of 17.0 per cent and 3.5 per cent from the prior year respectively, albeit under unprecedented inflationary pressure. We also achieved a profit after tax of ₦382.3 billion, up 4.9 per cent compared to 2021.”

Analysing the 2022 year-end result, Dangote explained that the company achieved its highest revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in history at ₦1,618.3 billion and ₦708.2 billion, respectively.

The exceptional EBITDA, according to him, was supported by its numerous cost containment measures, substituting higher-cost fuel for cheaper alternative fuel products.

He said volumes have grown by 11.2 per cent while EBITDA has increased by 16.3 per cent, over the same period, implying a five-fold increase and revealing a true growth story.

“Accordingly, we closed the year with a profit after tax of ₦382.3 billion and an Earning per Share (EPS) of ₦22.27. Despite these accomplishments, we are not resting on our laurels. We recognise that the business environment remains volatile, so we will continue to evolve with the changing times while embracing technological advancement,” he added.

On the company’s report, the Chairman of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association, Mrs. Bisi Bakare commended the management of Dangote Cement for its doggedness during the year under review for still being able to exceed the shareholders’ expectations given the inclement economic weather under which companies operated in the country.

She explained that the shareholders were happy with the returns, pointing out that it only means that the company was living up to its billing as the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, adding that if not for the resilience of the management, the company would not be able to post such an impressive performance in 2022.