Dangote Cement gives green light to N45 payout, sets sights on producing 80 million tonnes

Dangote Cement Plc shareholders have given their approval for a final dividend of N45 per ordinary share for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, resulting in a total payout of N753.8bn.

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This move is part of the company's long-term strategy to expand across Africa through significant investments in production capacity, cleaner energy, and operational efficiency, as reaffirmed by the company.

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The dividend approval took place at the company's 17th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, where Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh emphasized the firm's commitment to driving self-sustaining industrial growth in Africa by leveraging local resources and strategic investments.

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Dr Faruk Umar, National President of the Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders, commended the group's focus on achieving continental independence, highlighting the importance of transforming Africa.

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Umar noted that the 50 per cent dividend increase is a result of careful strategy, particularly in areas such as exports, where the company has made significant progress in overcoming past challenges.

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The company is also focused on improving operational efficiency by reducing transportation and energy costs through investments in compressed natural gas powered trucks and alternative fuels.

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According to Ikazoboh, Dangote Cement is expanding its use of alternative fuels by converting waste into energy to power its manufacturing operations, further intensifying efforts to enhance operational efficiency.

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Group Managing Director Arvind Pathak stated that the company's growth outlook is underpinned by deliberate investments in exports, logistics, and operational efficiency, with plans to increase production capacity from 55 million tonnes to 80 million tonnes by 2030.

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Pathak emphasized that the company intends to grow its production capacity to 80 million tonnes, in line with the Dangote Group's Vision 2030.

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Shareholder and financial analyst Mr Nornah Awoh commended the board for its financial discipline, citing the deployment of 3,000 CNG trucks and a 50 per cent reduction in bank borrowings as key drivers of profitability.

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Awoh highlighted the company's improved revenue and reduced borrowings, noting that the first quarter is 101 per cent higher than last year, and expressed optimism about future dividend payouts.

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He also emphasized the value of the company's cross-border footprint, noting that expansion into countries such as Côte d'Ivoire and Tanzania will ensure long-term profitability.

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Awoh urged the public and the press to prioritize long-term operational health over short-term payouts, emphasizing that a company's sustainability is more important than short-term dividend payments.

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He expressed satisfaction with Dangote Cement's long-term prospects, citing the company's constant expansion and planned addition of 25 million tonnes of production capacity as indicators of its potential to create generational wealth.

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Awoh concluded that the company's future outlook is positive, with expectations that it will continue to perform well and create value for shareholders.