Onome Amuge
Lafarge Africa Plc has strengthened its presence in Nigeria’s construction sector with the commissioning of a new ReadyMix concrete facility in Lekki, Lagos.
The Freedom Plant, unveiled at a ceremony in Lagos, is the latest addition to Lafarge Africa’s ReadyMix operations, which also span Abuja and Port Harcourt. The facility is equipped with three silos capable of storing more than two days’ worth of cementitious material, a capacity the company says will ease supply bottlenecks, improve customer service, and ensure product availability as demand for construction inputs rises in Africa’s largest economy.
“This launch further increases and strengthens our commitment to ‘Building Progress for People and the Planet’. It is not just about production but about expanding the frontiers of innovation and sustainability in our operations, meeting Nigeria’s growing demand locally, and empowering our people through job creation and skills development,” said Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Lafarge Africa’s group managing director and chief executive.
The move comes as Nigeria’s construction sector remains a key contributor to growth, despite headwinds from foreign exchange volatility and elevated inflation. Analysts note that demand for cement and concrete products has been buoyed by government spending on infrastructure and a steady pipeline of private real estate and commercial projects, particularly in Lagos, the country’s commercial capital.
Derek Williamson, head of Aggregates and ReadyMix at Lafarge Africa, said the plant was strategically located to deepen the company’s reach in Lagos and complement its broader national footprint. “Freedom Plant will significantly boost our production volumes, improve customer service, and ensure product availability to meet the rising demand in Nigeria’s fast-growing economy,” he said. The facility is also positioned to serve as a platform to roll out EcoCrete, Lafarge’s recently launched sustainable building material, alongside its wider range of ReadyMix products.
Lafarge Africa, majority-owned by Swiss building materials giant Holcim, stated that it has been repositioning itself as a project enabler in Nigeria, targeting infrastructure and housing gaps that require large-scale, durable solutions. The company reported solid financial performance in 2024, with revenues supported by price adjustments and growing demand for sustainable products.
With the commissioning of the Freedom Plant, Lafarge Africa is betting that urbanisation trends, population growth, and public-private partnerships in infrastructure will sustain demand for its products in the medium term.
As Alade-Akinyemi stated at the launch: “With this additional plant to our ReadyMix operations, Lafarge Africa has a clear strategy as a project enabler, driving quality and innovation forward, and meeting the growing demands of our customers.”
