Dangote opens Zambia plant in expansion plan
Speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate the plant in Masaiti, 500 kilometres (300 miles) north of Lusaka, Dangote president Aliko Dangote said that cement production was a symbol of African development.
"We hope to commission four other cement plants in Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon and Tanzania before the end of the year," said Dangote, known as Africa's richest man.
"We have decided to invest in 16 countries across the continent because we believe that Africa's future is linked to cement."
The plant in Masati is expected to produce 1.5 million tons of cement per year once it is fully operational, creating at least 1,000 direct jobs and 6,000 indirectly.
Cement in Zambia is currently produced by the French firm Lafrage Cement and Zambezi Portland Cement.
"Investment from a fellow African country is guaranteed, they won't leave their brother at critical moments," said Zambian President Edgar Lungu, welcoming Dangote's new plant.
Source: AFP