Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote is known for breaking grounds. As part of his latest business moves, Dangote yesterday commissioned a new cement plant in Ethiopa.
Dangote, the president of the group said the cement plant has a prospect of creating about 7000 job opportunities and produce 2.5 million tons of cement annually .
Vanguard reports that Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn graced the unveiling ceremony.
Delivering his address, the prime minister charged Africans to work together to ensure economic and political stability of the continent. This, according to him, will facilitate real economic integration in Africa.
In the same vein, Dangote added it takes genuine collaboration between the private sector and governments at all levels for the much needed real sector growth.
He emphasised there must be deliberate efforts to encourage Africans, not just foreigners alone, to invest in Africa “Take for example, my company, the Dangote Cement is currently investing in 16 African countries, with plans to invest in many more over the next few years. There are a number of other successful pan-African brands today such as MTN, Shoprite and Ecobank. We need to encourage this trend to see more investments in Africa by Africans,” he explained.
Speaking on why the $600 million cement plant and the continent’s largest hydro-power dam were cited in Ethiopia, Dangote attributed it to the abundant raw materials and sustainable peace in the country.
The Cement Plant located in Muger town has created direct employment for about 2,000 people in the main plant operation and 5,000 indirect job opportunities.
Ethiopia with a population of over 95 million is a destination of choice The cement factory constructed by Sinoma International Engineering, a giant Chinese construction firm is cited on 134 hectares of land.
