President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday received Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, in a courtesy visit that underscored the company’s ongoing commitment to Zambia’s economic development.

Dangote Cement Zambia Limited remains the single largest investment in the country’s manufacturing sector, with more than USD 500 million committed to its integrated 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum cement plant in Ndola. Commissioned in 2015, the facility includes a 30 MW captive power plant and a fleet of more than 400 trucks that support efficient distribution across Zambia.

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The investment has reshaped the local market. Dangote Cement’s entry transformed Zambia from a net importer into a major exporter within the SADC region. Since 2015, the company has sold over eight million tonnes of cement and maintained a strong reputation for quality. Its flagship product, Dangote 3X, was named Runner-up Product of the Year 2025 by the Zambian Association of Manufacturers. The company has also won Exporter of the Year from both ZAM and the Zambia Bureau of Standards for three years running and held runner-up positions in 2024 and 2025.

Dangote Cement Zambia directly employs more than 1,200 people and supports about 5,000 additional jobs through logistics, engineering, and local supply chains. The company sources all raw materials locally, helping to retain value within Zambia and deepen its industrial base.

Sustainability has become a core focus. The cement plant has replaced more than 30 percent of its fossil fuel use with alternative fuels, including used tyres, municipal waste, plastic, sawdust, and corn cobs. It is certified by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency to safely dispose of hazardous waste and has earned several awards for its environmental performance.

President Hichilema commended the Dangote Group for its contributions to national development and encouraged stronger partnerships with both Government and private-sector players to tackle Zambia’s energy challenges.

Dangote reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to climate action, energy security, and agricultural growth. He highlighted Zambia’s strong potential for climate-smart agriculture and pledged to explore further investments in solar and thermal power. He also noted opportunities to leverage the Ndola facility and local mineral resources, including coal, to support energy needs in Zambia and the DRC.

He pointed to the company’s 30 MW captive power plant as evidence of its long-term vision. The plant not only guarantees uninterrupted production but also supplies 8 MW back to the national grid through the Copperbelt Energy Corporation, supporting the country’s wider energy stability.

President Hichilema welcomed Dangote’s plans and said Zambia is ready to partner with the Group in advancing industrial growth aligned with the Government’s 8th National Development Plan. He said such partnerships are vital to achieving progress in manufacturing, energy, and agriculture.

Through sustained investment and a record of innovation, the Dangote Group continues to strengthen its role as a key partner in Zambia’s industrialisation and economic transformation.