Nigeria: Dangote Cement has introduced 32.5 grade cement, intended only for plastering, into the Nigerian market. Dangote's managing director, Devakumar V G Edwin, said that Dangote has ventured into the production of 32.5 grade of the product because the regulatory agency, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has clearly spelt out the different uses of the various grades of cement which must be complied with by the cement manufacturing companies.

Edwin said that Dangote had resisted requests from its customers to produce 32.5 grade cement and sell at a cheaper price because it didn't want the product to be misapplied. "Now the SON has stepped in. SON has taken controlling measures and they have re-emphasised that anybody producing the 32.5 grade cement must design their bags in a specific manner and the bags should carry clearly that this cement is meant for plastering only and not for any other application," said Edwin. "With these regulations in place, we have the confidence that we can now go into the production of 32.5 for plastering only."

According to Edwin, about 80% of cement produced by Dangote will still be 42.5R grade, which will remain Dangote's flagship product because of its 'superiority' and varied uses.