Dangote Cement Plc has unveiled a robust sustainability scorecard that underscores its commitment to responsible growth, positioning 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 its 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, the Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, highlighted how sustainability has evolved within the company 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 approved plans in 2024 to further reduce its 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), with electric trucks 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.
According to the company, 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 drive, 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 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 reduced clinker factor. These measures integrate climate objectives into long-term capital investment decisions and position the company among Africa’s leading industrial players in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
In the governance space, Dangote Cement strengthened 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 noted that the company’s 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 spoke on the circular economy and biodiversity, highlighting major achievements in resource stewardship and environmental conservation.
According to him, Dangote Cement has intensified the expansion of 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 operational locations during the 2025 financial year.
The programme aims to afforest 200 hectares of land in each country of operation over five years through the planting of 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 back 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 organisations such as the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
Currently, the company 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’s management 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.”
