Nigeria: BUA Cement has announced plans to raise its total installed capacity to 20Mt/yr following the signing of an agreement with China-based CBMI Construction for the construction of a new 3Mt/yr cement production line in Sokoto State. The US$240m project will also include the construction of a power plant ‘and other key facilities,’ according to The Premium Times Nigeria. The agreement was signed in Dubai, UAE, by the chairs of both companies: Abdul Samad Rabiu of BUA Cement and Zhang Sicai of CBMI Construction. Rabiu said the expansion will ‘strengthen’ the company’s production base and intensify competition in the West African cement market.
He added that the new Sokoto line will be powered by BUA’s Kogi liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Ajaokuta, which broke ground in early 2025 and is scheduled for completion later in 2026. By using LNG, the company aims to cut operating costs while reducing reliance on more expensive and higher-emission traditional fuels. According to Rabiu, the plant is strategically located to serve northwestern Nigeria and neighbouring landlocked regional markets, such as Niger and Benin. He added that the project is expected to be completed within about 20 months.
