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BREAKING NEWS: Chinese Cement Giant Huaxin Enters Nigerian Market — Prices Remain High Despite Expectations
Nigerians had hoped for relief in cement prices as Chinese heavyweight Huaxin Cement made a major entry into the country’s market. However, despite the takeover of Lafarge Africa’s operations, cement costs remain stubbornly high.
The Big Deal
In December 2024, Switzerland-based Holcim agreed to sell its controlling stake in Lafarge Africa Plc to China’s Huaxin Cement for about $1 billion.
This landmark acquisition, expected to conclude in 2025 pending regulatory approval, hands Huaxin control of Lafarge’s four cement plants in Nigeria with a combined annual capacity of 10.35 million tonnes.
The move places Huaxin as a serious challenger in Africa’s cement industry, though still behind Dangote Cement, the dominant player.
Expectations vs Reality
With a new entrant, many Nigerians had anticipated a drop in cement prices.
But the reality on the ground is different:
A 50kg bag of cement currently sells for between ₦9,500 and ₦12,000.
Prices have surged by as much as 53% compared to earlier in 2025 when a bag sold for ₦7,800.
Builders and contractors say the rising costs are crippling construction projects and driving up property rents nationwide.
Why Prices Remain High
Analysts point to several key factors fueling the stubborn price hike:
Soaring production and energy costs.
Foreign exchange instability affecting imports.
Supply chain constraints.
Inflationary pressure across the economy.
This means Huaxin’s entry, while significant, may not immediately translate into lower cement prices for Nigerians.
What’s Next?
Industry watchers believe Huaxin Cement’s arrival could shake up the market in the medium term by:
Increasing competition with Dangote and BUA Cement.
Potentially spurring investments in technology and local capacity.
Forcing regulators to pay closer attention to price control measures.
But for now, consumers are still grappling with skyrocketing prices, not relief.
👉 Stay with DocuNews Central for updates on how Huaxin Cement’s entry could reshape Nigeria’s cement market in the months ahead.
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