In a show of support for President Bola Tinubu’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative, Dangote Cement Plc has invested over $280 million in CNG technology and infrastructure to further Nigeria’s shift to cleaner, more affordable fuel options. This initiative aligns with Tinubu’s focus on enhancing Nigeria’s energy landscape through CNG as a sustainable alternative fuel. The government’s goal includes the widespread adoption of CNG for public and commercial transportation, and the distribution of one million free CNG conversion kits to aid vehicle transition.
At a recent event, President Tinubu stressed the urgency of utilizing Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources to propel transportation. “Utilising natural gas to power Nigeria’s transportation industry is the next way to go,” he remarked, underscoring the economic and environmental significance of this shift. Tinubu’s policy creates an encouraging landscape for private investments, allowing companies like Dangote Cement to contribute to Nigeria’s energy goals.
Dangote Cement has responded to this call, committing to a long-term clean energy plan. With a goal to have most of its fleet running on CNG by 2026, the company has already begun receiving its first CNG-powered vehicles, including an initial batch of 1,500 trucks with another 1,600 expected by year’s end. These investments, according to Dangote Cement’s Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, are crucial to the company’s clean energy roadmap. Pathak noted, “By mid-2026, Dangote Cement aims to operate a fleet predominantly powered by CNG,” a target the company is set to aggressively pursue beginning in early 2025.
Beyond the operational advantages, this shift plays a role in Dangote Group’s commitment to Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals under the Paris Agreement, which aim for net-zero emissions by 2060. Aliko Dangote, the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, emphasized the importance of private-sector involvement in advancing Nigeria’s clean energy goals, applauding President Tinubu’s role in fostering an environment ripe for green investment.
“We are optimistic about achieving a notable milestone in Nigeria’s energy efficiency journey under President Tinubu’s guidance,” said Dangote. He expressed the company’s readiness to align with national goals and contribute to a more sustainable future, calling the initiative “a remarkable accomplishment.”
This collaboration between government initiatives and private-sector investment signals a robust push toward cleaner energy in Nigeria, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and secure a more sustainable economy for future generations.
