The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has lauded President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for siting a cement plant in that country, promising to provide an enabling atmosphere for the Group and other investors.

But like the proverbial Oliver Twist, it also called on Dangote to explore other investment opportunities in the East African country, promising that the Ministry of Industry would ensure the realisation of the projects.

The commendation, along with the request for more investment, was conveyed through a letter in reaction to the progress report on the 2.5mmtpa cement plant Dangote is building in Mugher, Adaberga District of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Government in the letter signed by the State Minister of Industry, Tadesse Haile, said it was happy with the steady progress being recorded at the plant construction site and stressed the determination of the government to do all possible to ensure the construction continues unhindered.

“We received the project progress report from your office and it was a pleasure for us to see the remarkable progress being made by your esteemed organisation in the setting up of this prestigious project,” the letter read in part.

According to the letter, the plant has become a successful reference point in the government’s task of attracting foreign investors to do business in the country, saying the success of Dangote Cement will boost the country’s search for more investors.

The letter added: “The Ministry of Industry is proud to showcase the project to prospective investors as a show case of successful foreign investment in Nigeria. It is commendable that the project is transforming the region and has generated employment opportunities to a large section of the local population.”

News Express reports that the letter came on the heels of a similar one by the Government of Tanzania over the recent groundbreaking ceremony of a 3.0mmtpa Dangote Cement factory at Mtwara, Tanzania.

Dangote is Nigeria’s leading cement producer with three plants in Nigeria and plans to expand in 13 other African countries. The Group is a fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer with production capacity of 19.25mmtpa in Nigeria, with plans to increase to at least 29mmtpa in 2015. The Group plans to build more integrated, grinding and import facilities across Africa, bringing its total capacity to 55mta by the end of 2016.

•Photo shows Dangote.

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