Dangote Cement Plc has unveiled a robust sustainability scorecard, underscoring its commitment to responsible growth as it positions environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles at the heart of its drive to become Africa’s most sustainable and globally competitive cement manufacturer.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable industrialisation before shareholders and other stakeholders, while outlining sustainability strategies aligned with the broader Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) Vision 2030.
Presenting the company’s 2025 Sustainability Scorecard at its 17th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, highlighted how sustainability has evolved from a compliance requirement into a core business strategy that supports growth, resilience and long-term value creation across Africa.
As part of its decarbonisation agenda, the company in 2024 approved plans to further reduce net carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions intensity by 20 per cent while accelerating the transition to cleaner transportation.
“By 2027, all fleet trucks operating in Nigeria, except those at the Gboko plant, will run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), while electric trucks are scheduled for introduction in 2026,” he said.
The cement giant also announced plans to strengthen its position as Africa’s leading cement exporter through expanded port infrastructure at Apapa, Onne and Lekki, while pursuing capacity expansion programmes that will increase installed production capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2030, including new operations in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
These initiatives support Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 ambition of building a globally competitive industrial powerhouse rooted in sustainability and innovation.
On its people-centred sustainability agenda, Dangote Cement reported significant progress in human capital development and social impact, creating 625 direct green jobs across its operations while increasing social investment spending by 56 per cent. Graduate trainee recruitment also rose by 74 per cent, underscoring the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of African industrial talent.
Supporting this commitment, the company invested ₦2.1 billion in employee training and development, reinforcing its ambition to become the employer of choice across its operating countries by fostering a high-performance and inclusive workplace culture.
On climate action, the company reported measurable progress in reducing its environmental footprint, achieving a 6.5 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions intensity from its 2021 baseline. Energy efficiency also improved, with energy intensity reduced by 1.7 per cent and overall energy consumption declining by 4 per cent. Water consumption also fell by 8 per cent during the period under review.
These environmental achievements build on Dangote Cement’s decarbonisation strategies, including the use of alternative fuels, improved energy efficiency and reduction in clinker factor. The company said these measures integrate climate objectives into long-term capital investment decisions and position it among Africa’s leading industrial players in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
In the governance space, Dangote Cement enhanced its ESG risk management framework through the adoption of an Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Policy, a Biodiversity Policy, a Disability Inclusion Policy, and the integration of 297 local vendors into its ESG-focused supply chain programme.
Amid applause from shareholders, Ikazoboh said sustainability governance has matured significantly over the past decade, with executive accountability mechanisms, climate risk oversight and ESG performance management now firmly embedded in operational and strategic decision-making processes.
He also highlighted the company’s achievements in the circular economy and biodiversity conservation, noting that Dangote Cement has expanded its DangCircular initiative, which promotes waste reduction, recycling and circular economy practices across its operations.
“The company co-processed more than 437,000 tonnes of waste as alternative fuel, reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels while improving resource efficiency,” he said.
In a major biodiversity initiative, the company launched the Dangote Tree-to-Forest Programme across all its operational locations during the 2025 financial year. The programme aims to afforest 200 hectares of land in each country of operation over five years by planting 700 trees per hectare, reinforcing efforts to restore ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience through carbon sequestration.
Reflecting on the company’s sustainability journey, Dangote Cement traced its efforts to 2017, when it established the Dangote Seven Sustainability Pillars and began reporting in line with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards.
Since then, the company has introduced sustainability champions programmes, executive ESG accountability systems, climate disclosure frameworks, alternative fuel projects, biodiversity restoration initiatives and enterprise-wide sustainability policies that have progressively integrated ESG considerations into every aspect of its business.
The company’s climate governance efforts have also resulted in improved ESG ratings from internationally recognised disclosure bodies such as the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), where it currently holds a B rating in climate and water security disclosures. It has also committed to the voluntary adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Standards before they become mandatory.
Dangote Cement described sustainability as the engine of Vision 2030, noting that its sustainability roadmap is a critical enabler of Dangote Industries Limited’s Vision 2030 and serves as the mechanism through which industrial expansion is aligned with environmental stewardship, social progress and corporate resilience.
According to the company, sustainability creates strategic value by ensuring workforce development keeps pace with industrial growth, climate objectives guide investment decisions, governance strengthens enterprise resilience, and natural capital protection supports long-term business continuity.
“Growth with embedded sustainability creates enduring industrial leadership,” the company stated, stressing that its roadmap operationalises Vision 2030 by translating ambition into practical priorities across people, climate, systems and nature.
Africa’s leading cement manufacturer said it remains committed to driving positive change by combining industrial expansion with responsible business practices, reinforcing its position as a key driver of Africa’s infrastructure development, economic transformation and environmental stewardship.
As Dangote Cement accelerates its transition towards a low-carbon, technology-driven and export-led business model, the company said it remains well-positioned to deliver sustainable long-term value for shareholders.
Ikazoboh said: “As we build Africa’s largest and most sustainable cement business, we are creating a platform for long-term growth, resilience and shareholder value. Our sustainability strategy is not separate from our business strategy, it is the foundation upon which we will achieve Vision 2030. We invite investors to join us as we expand our footprint, deepen our export leadership, and shape the future of sustainable industrialisation across Africa.”
