Burkina Faso Opens New Cement Plant With Chinese Support, Challenging Dangote's Operations

The CISINOB SA plant, producing 2,000 tonnes daily, adds competition to Dangote Cement, strengthening Burkina Faso-China economic ties.

Dangote unveils a 400 million Ethiopia expansion and revives a 6M-tonne plant in Nigeria, reinforcing its market dominance.

The companys revenue hits N3.58 trillion 2.4 billion in 2024, despite rising costs and Pan-African losses.

A new cement plant, Socit Industrielle Sino Burkina de Ciments SA CISINOB SA, has been inaugurated in Laongo, Plateau-Central region, adding fresh competition to Burkina Fasos cement market. The facility will rival the selling and distribution operations of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangotes Dangote Cement Burkina Faso S.A, a subsidiary of his flagship company, Dangote Cement Plc.

With a production capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day, the new plant is expected to create hundreds of jobs for Burkina Fasos youth. The facility was inaugurated by the countrys interim military president, Captain Ibrahim Traor, who described it as a symbol of a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between Burkina Faso and China.

It is with legitimate pride that I inaugurated today, March 20, 2025, in Laongo, the cement plant of CISINOB SA. With a production capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day, it will provide employment opportunities for hundreds of young people in our country, Traor said in a post on X. He emphasized that the project reflects a partnership that respects Burkina Fasos sovereignty while fostering economic growth. To all friends of Burkina Faso, we remain open to sincere partnerships that respect our sovereignty.

The plant, a joint venture with Chinese investors, is part of Burkina Fasos broader push for economic growth, independent of Western influence. The new facility is expected to strengthen the countrys infrastructure and boost its construction sector. Its entry into the market also puts it in direct competition with Dangote Cement Plc, the dominant player in the region.

Meanwhile, Dangote Cement continues to expand across the continent. Aliko Dangote recently unveiled a 400 million plan to revive a second production line at the Mugher cement plant in Ethiopia, which will double its annual capacity to 5 million tonnes.