Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote has guaranteed shareholders and other stakeholders of the company’s management’s resolve to keep the company profitable by leveraging on strategic innovations for the continuous growth of their investments.
Speaking at the 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the
company in Lagos, Dangote said the prospects for the cement company remain
bright as the management will continue to innovate on quality products delivery
to millions of its customers across Africa while touching the lives of its host
communities.
He stated: “We will continue to make sure that we keep our
shareholders happy, not only the shareholders but all our other stakeholders…
Our strategy remains steadfast, focused on organic growth in Nigeria and
Pan-Africa while ensuring that Africa’s regional integration becomes a reality.
We will continue to contribute to improving regional trade
within Africa by building plants across West and Central Africa, guided by our
vision of making the region cement and clinker self-sufficient. In addition, we
aim to deliver higher returns and value to our shareholders.”
The Chairman pointed out that despite the challenging
macroeconomic environment in 2022, the company still made great strides,
performed admirably, and remains Africa’s largest and leading cement producer.
Dangote explained that in the face of the unexpected
challenges in 2022, the company implemented robust cost reduction strategies to
manage the inflationary environment, and thus enhanced its competitiveness
while maintaining high levels of product quality and customer service delivery.
According to him: “In addition, we achieved giant strides in
transitioning to cleaner energy, with our cost containment initiative
propelling the use of Alternative Fuel (AF) to replace more expensive fossil
fuels, such as coal and gas.
We also increased the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
for our trucks due to the rising diesel cost environment.
These efforts have helped us reduce our cost base and
enhanced our flexibility, enabling the Company to respond more effectively to
changes in the market. As a result, we recorded revenue and EBITDA growth of
17.0 per cent and 3.5 per cent from the prior year respectively, albeit under
unprecedented inflationary pressure. We also achieved a profit after tax of
₦382.3 billion, up 4.9 per cent compared to 2021.”
Analysing the 2022 year-end result, Dangote explained that
the company achieved its highest revenue and earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in history at ₦1,618.3 billion and
₦708.2 billion, respectively. The exceptional EBITDA, according to him, was
supported by its numerous cost containment measures, substituting higher-cost
fuel for cheaper alternative fuel products.
The Company Chairman explained that: “Over the last twelve
years, volumes have grown by a double-digit compound annual growth rate of 11.2
per cent. Similarly, EBITDA has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3
per cent, over the same period, implying a five-fold increase and revealing a
true growth story.
“Accordingly, we closed the year with a profit after tax of
₦382.3 billion and an Earning per Share (EPS) of ₦22.27. Despite these
accomplishments, we are not resting on our laurels. We recognise that the business
environment remains volatile, so we will continue to evolve with the changing
times while embracing technological advancement,” he added.
Speaking on the Company’s Annual Reports, Mrs. Bisi Bakare,
Chairman of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association, commended the management of
Dangote Cement for its doggedness during the year under review for still being
able to exceed the shareholders’ expectation in view of the inclement economic
weather under which companies operated in the country.
She explained that the shareholders were happy for the
returns, pointing out that it only means that the company was living up to its
billing as the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, adding that if not for the
resilience of the management, the company would not be able to post such an
impressive performance in 2022.
Mrs. Bakare alluded to the successful listing of the N300
billion series bond by the Company, saying the company succeeded largely due to
the confidence reposed in the company and its management by the investing
public. “It is not all companies that could record such a feat given the huge
amount involved and the biting economic situation”, she stated.
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