Dangote Cement Plc has announced plans to power all its trucks with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) by 2026 as part of its broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security across its operations.
The company, which targets a 29 per cent reduction in emissions by next year, said it has co-processed over 1.5 million tonnes of alternative fuels in the past four years, significantly cutting its carbon footprint.
Group Managing Director, Mr. Arvind Pathak, disclosed this at the Africa CemTrade Summit held in Accra, Ghana, according to a statement by the Dangote Group.
Pathak said the initiative reinforces Dangote Cement’s commitment to sustainable industrialisation and responsible energy transition in Africa.
“Dangote Cement has taken the lead in driving sustainable transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa’s cement value chain. Sustainability has never been an afterthought for us; it is central to how we grow, innovate, and operate,” he said.
According to him, since 2021, the company has deployed 15 alternative fuel systems across its plants, achieving up to 40 per cent thermal substitution in facilities in Senegal, Zambia, and South Africa.
The company has converted industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste into energy, aligning with its decarbonisation target of cutting emissions by 20 per cent by 2030.
Pathak explained that Dangote Cement, with operations in 11 countries and an annual capacity of 55 million tonnes, is leading a “transformative shift” in Africa’s cement distribution sector through cleaner energy adoption.
As part of its green logistics programme, the company has invested in over 3,000 CNG trucks and 1,000 dual-fuel vehicles, significantly reducing transport-related emissions and costs.
He said the firm’s digital transformation initiatives such as the Distributor Management System (DMS), Transport Management System (TMS), and Electronic Proof of Delivery (e-POD) have enhanced transparency and efficiency across its supply chain.
Dangote Cement has mapped over 65,000 retail outlets nationwide and distributed over 4,000 trucks to transport partners through its Customer Truck Empowerment Scheme (CTES), boosting job creation and reliability in cement delivery.
In 2024 alone, the company invested over N12.4 billion in community development projects across its host countries, covering education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth empowerment a fourfold increase from the previous year.
Pathak emphasised that sustainability and profitability must coexist for Africa’s industrial future to thrive.
“Our investments in process optimisation, cleaner fuels, and advanced energy systems are helping us reduce waste, improve efficiency, and build stronger competitiveness,” he said.
Dangote Cement’s Deputy Head of Sustainability, Oyekemi Oyelola, added that the company’s operations demonstrate that industrial progress and environmental responsibility can coexist.
“We see a future where Africa’s cement industry becomes a benchmark for sustainable industrialisation globally. Dangote Cement is committed to leading that transformation building stronger structures and a greener future,” she stated.
OPEC Output Rises, NNPC Plans 20% Stake in Dangote Refinery
Meanwhile, oil output by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increased slightly in October, rising by 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 28.43 million bpd, according to a Reuters survey.
The report showed that Saudi Arabia and Iraq recorded the largest increases, while Nigeria, Libya, and Venezuela experienced output declines.
Similarly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) said it is enhancing transparency ahead of its planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) and intends to raise its equity in the Dangote Refinery from 7 per cent to 20 per cent.
NNPC Chief Executive, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this at the ADIPEC Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi, saying the move aligns with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) mandate for NNPC to go public.
“The IPO journey is by law. The PIA prescribes for NNPC to journey towards achieving IPO. It’s not an option for us,” he said.
Ojulari added that the company has been publishing its monthly performance reports since May as part of its transparency reforms.
Oil prices, however, fell by 1 per cent on Wednesday, with Brent crude trading at $63.65 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate at $59.75, amid concerns of a global supply glut despite strong U.S. fuel demand.
