Dangote Cement Confirms Bid for PPC of South Africa

Dangote Cement Plc, which is the most capitalised company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday confirmed that it plans to acquire the entire share capital of PPC Limited-South Africa’s leading cement firm.

In a notification to the NSE, the board of directors of Dangote Cement disclosed it had communicated its interest to acquire the entire share capital of PPC to the board of directors of the South Africa’s firm.

However, the Dangote Cement explained that the acquisition talks are still at the preliminary stage and the transaction remains a potential transaction.

“Further details will be published subsequently, as appropriate,” Dangote Cement stated. Dangote Cement has embarked on expansion of its operations to other African countries. The Chairman of the Dangote Cement, Alhaji Aliko Dangote last May told shareholders that the Pan-African diversification programme provided the essential foreign currency and streams of cash to operate the company despite the challenges that characterised 2016.

According to him, the Nigerian economy fell into recession in 2016, inflation peaked at 18.6 per cent, while resurgence in attacks on oil and gas pipelines in South left Ibese and Obajana factories short of fuel.

He, however, noted that the results of strategic decisions taken a years ago enabled Dangote Cement to strengthen its business and consolidate its position in a year when many others in Nigeria and across the rest of Africa have struggled against economic downturn.

“Our Pan-African diversification has provided cash streams from countries such as Senegal, Cameroon and Zambia, which have provided us with essential foreign currency as foreign exchange controls made it difficult for us to obtain dollars for operations. Furthermore, we were able to borrow money in these countries’ local currencies, thus reducing our exposure to foreign currency shortages in Nigeria. In addition, we began to generate foreign currency sales from exports of cement from Nigeria to Ghana,” Dangote said.

Having delivered improved full-year results for 2016, Dangote Cement Plc recorded another improved performance for H1 of 2017, sending positive signals to investors to expect another bounteous harvest at the end of the year.