Dangote Industries Limited has signed an $800 million agreement with Chinese engineering giant, Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd., to double the production capacity of its Itori cement plant in Ogun State to 12 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA), in a move expected to deepen Nigeria’s cement export drive and reinforce the country’s position as a regional manufacturing hub.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, and Chairman of Sinoma, Lin Zhong, marks one of the largest recent investments in Nigeria’s cement industry and forms part of Dangote Cement’s long-term expansion strategy across Africa.

The project will increase the Itori plant’s installed capacity from six million to 12 million metric tonnes yearly, strengthening the company’s ability to meet rising domestic demand while significantly expanding exports to African markets.

The investment comes as Dangote Cement intensifies efforts to position Nigeria as a major exporter of cement, leveraging growing regional demand under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and improved domestic manufacturing capacity.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dangote described the investment as another milestone in the company’s industrialisation agenda, saying the expansion reflects confidence in Nigeria’s economy and its long-term manufacturing potential.

He attributed the decision to expand the Itori facility to the Federal Government’s renewed emphasis on the use of concrete in road construction and the company’s strategy to serve cement-deficient African countries through exports.

According to him, the project aligns with Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 target of raising cement production capacity to between 90 million and 100 million metric tonnes yearly across its operations.

“This $800 million investment represents another bold step in our commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and reinforcing our leadership in Africa’s cement industry,” Dangote said.

He noted that expanding the Itori plant would enable the company to satisfy growing domestic demand while substantially increasing export volumes, generating additional foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria and creating more employment opportunities.

Dangote added that the investment underscores the company’s confidence in the Nigerian economy despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges, stressing that manufacturing remains central to Africa’s economic transformation.
Zhong said the company would deploy advanced engineering technology and global expertise to ensure the successful execution of the project.

He described the expansion as evidence of the enduring strategic relationship between both companies and a demonstration of growing international confidence in Nigeria’s industrial sector.