The Dangote petrochemical plant located at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, is set to introduce its polypropylene products into the local markets.

Polypropylene, a raw material made from petroleum-based thermoplastic polymers, is used for a wide number of different products, including plastic packaging, plastic parts for machinery and equipment, fibers and textiles, piping systems, chairs, and medical or laboratory use, among others.

Giving an update on the petrochemical plant in Lagos, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said that the Dangote Petrochemical will drive massive investment in the downstream industries, generating huge value addition in the country, creating employment, increasing tax revenues, reducing foreign exchange outflow, and increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

“We have 77 types of polypropylene, which can go for different uses that we can produce from our petrochemical plant.

Currently, the plant is capable of producing about 900,000 tonnes of polypropylene per annum. Our Petrochemical plant should be the biggest in Africa.

“Right now, raw materials from polypropylene are imported into the country. There is no foreign exchange for manufacturers to import raw materials.

The Dangote Petrochemical plant is going to take care of this challenge. ” When the raw materials are locally available, there will be many more people who will be willing to invest in the economy.

So, it is not just the savings of foreign exchange from petrochemical products’ importation; the country’s downstream sector will also benefit hugely from the availability of petrochemicals in the country.”

▪︎Aliko Dangote, the largest cement producer in the domestic market.

Nigeria’s cement industry is set to increase its output to 78 million metric tonnes per annum (Mt/yr) with the entry of two new players.

Ohibaba.com exclusively reports that MSM Cement and Resident Cement are poised to add a combined capacity of 13 Mt/yr, with MSM Cement planning a 3 Mt/yr plant in Kebbi State and Resident Cement developing a larger 10 Mt/yr facility in Bauchi State.

The Kebbi project marks a new initiative, supported by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) valued at US$2.4 billion between the state government and MSM Cement.

The Chairman of MSM Group, Alhaji Muazzam Mairawani, indicated that the plant will be built in four phases, each costing US$600 million, with the first phase expected to commence production by early 2027.

Originally established in the fertilizer sector, MSM Group has diversified into oil and gas, shipping, and agriculture. In contrast, the Bauchi project is already further advanced, with an MOU worth US$1.5 billion signed in mid-2024.

It also includes plans for a 100MW power plant, a dam, and various amenities to benefit the local community.

The state reportedly holds a 10 percent  stake in the project, which is partly backed by Sinoma Nigeria Company.

Currently, the Nigerian cement market is led by major players including Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa, and BUA Cement, which collectively produce 60 Mt/yr.

Dangote Cement, the largest producer, has a capacity of 35.25 Mt/yr across its four plants, while BUA Cement has recently expanded to reach 20 Mt/yr.

Lafarge Africa adds another 10.5 Mt/yr to the total production capacity in the country. With the newcomers, Nigeria’s total cement capacity is expected to exceed 78 Mt/yr, solidifying its position in the industry.

MTN Nigeria is relocating its corporate headquarters from Falomo- Ikoyi, to the Eko Atlantic City.

MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, disclosed this during the MyLagosApp launch event in Lagos, yesterday.  Toriola said that the company’s new headquarters will be situated in Eko Atlantic, four years after it  announced plans to build a new head office. 

MTN will be the first telecom operator to build in the coastal city, signaling confidence in its potential as one of the premier business hubs in Nigeria. “Beyond connectivity, we are committed to making long-term investments in Lagos.

As part of this commitment, we have acquired a piece of land in Eko Atlantic City, and we will commence construction once we have gotten the equipment,” said  Toriola.

He added that MTN Nigeria is also constructing West Africa’s largest Tier 4 data center in Lagos.

The facility will house 1,500 racks and operate as a carrier-neutral hub, allowing multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and cloud service providers to interconnect.

Toriola said that the data center will not be situated within Eko Atlantic but on the Lagos mainland. 

“With seven degrees of connectivity, this facility will be the most sophisticated data hub in the region, further strengthening Nigeria’s position as a leader in digital transformation,” Toriola said.