The CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has reiterated the company’s dedication to assisting the Zambian government in addressing climate change while enhancing the country’s energy and agriculture sectors.
Speaking during a courtesy call with President Hakainde Hichilema, Dangote highlighted Zambia’s immense potential for agricultural expansion, particularly through climate-smart and irrigation-based farming.
He said these initiatives align with the country’s goals for economic resilience and food security.
Dangote also pledged to explore investments in solar and thermal energy generation, leveraging the Ndola facility to address power deficits in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
He further indicated an interest in using Zambia’s mineral resources, including coal, to develop sustainable power solutions for the region.
Dangote’s 30 MW captive power plant at the Ndola facility has enabled self-sufficiency while feeding 8 MW back into the national grid through the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), contributing to Zambia’s energy resilience.
President Hichilema welcomed the commitment, affirming that the government is ready to partner with the Dangote Group to unlock industrial growth and regional cooperation. These initiatives support the government’s 8th National Development Plan (2022–2026), especially in manufacturing, energy, and agriculture.
Since entering Zambia, the Dangote Group has become a trusted strategic partner in industrialisation and economic transformation. Dangote Cement Zambia Limited (DCZL) represents the country’s largest single investment in manufacturing, exceeding USD 500 million.
Commissioned in 2015, the 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated cement plant includes a 30 MW captive power plant and a fleet of over 400 trucks for nationwide distribution.
The plant has transformed Zambia from a net importer to a leading exporter of cement in the SADC region, selling over 8 million tonnes since commissioning.
DCZL directly employs over 1,200 people, with an additional 5,000 benefiting indirectly through logistics, engineering, and supply chains. All raw materials are sourced locally, ensuring economic benefits remain within Zambia.
As part of its sustainability strategy, Dangote Cement has reduced its carbon footprint by replacing over 30 per cent of fossil fuels with alternative fuels, including used tyres, municipal waste, plastic, sawdust, and corn cobs.
The company is certified by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to safely dispose of hazardous waste and has received multiple awards for green manufacturing practices.
Source: Leadership News
Image Credit: APAnews
