Cameroon bans cement import to boost Dangote’s sales

Cameroon has announced a ban on imported cement as part of the measures to boost patronage of Dangote Cement products, launched in the French-speaking Central African country recently.

Abdulahi Baba, General Manager and head of Cameroonian factory for Dangote, told journalists that the company had already assured the government of Cameroon it would help shore up local production of the vital product with the ban on importation of cement into the country.

Baba said the assurance was important after the firm successfully launched its high grade 42.5 cement type into the Cameroonian market with the inauguration of its 1.5m MTPA capacity cement plant in Douala.

He added that Dangote Cement appreciates the gesture of the Cameroonian government, stressing that the ban was a vote of confidence on the ability of cement manufacturers in the country, especially Dangote Cement, to meet and surpass local demand.

Baba said with the addition of Dangote’s 1.5m MTPA, the three manufacturers of cement in the country would surpass local consumption as Dangote management was already looking towards export prospects to Cameroon neighbours.

According to Baba, Cameroon, with a consumption growth of 8 per cent and local production of 2.9m MTPA, the Dangote was looking at export potentials in Chad, Central African Republic, Garbon, Equitorial Guinea and Togo even as the company considers future expansion.

He explained that the plant has one of the most modern facilities that ensure that there is no dust emission during production.

“The demand is growing every day because of the infrastructural developmental efforts of the government and we will take the advantage of the ban on cement importation here in Cameroon,” said Baba.

“We have structured distributorship system in place. Our route to market is very clear and defined. We are building a jetty so that we are not held down but have smooth distribution during congestion at the ports.

“We are set to achieve stability of operations in first quarter of 2015, pursue aggressive market penetration and consolidation through appropriate above the line and below the line activities.

About 170 distributors have been selected after the interview process and 85 distributors will start, while the number will gradually increase with increasing production,” he added.