(Business in Cameroon) - During the first quarter this year, Dangote Cement sold in Cameroon the equivalent of 229 kilotons (229,000 tons), down 10% compared to the 332 kilotons (332,000 tons) the same period last year.

Lower sales, the group said, is mainly linked to trouble issues in the northwest and southwest which disrupt activities. The company experienced broadly a tough quarter on the continent with delayed Nigerian elections which dropped sales and stiff conditions on markets including South Africa, according to Joe Makoju, the company’s Acting Group Chief Executive.

Plus, the manager said, Dangote's variable costs were affected by currency effects, as well as higher fuel and distribution costs. These factors, combined with the growth in muted volumes in all activities, contributed to a slight drop in revenue (240.2 billion naira or nearly XAF391.5 billion down 0.8%) and a greater impact on profitability, he said.

Let’s note that consumption in Cameroon is spurred by individual and government construction projects as well as the continuation of AfCON-related works. Dangote controls 40% of Cameroon’s cement market, estimated at 750,000 tons in Q1 2019.

S.A