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Dubai firm buys N48.7bn shares in Dangote Cement

By on September 10, 2014

The Investment Corporation of Dubai, the investment arm of the government of Dubai, has acquired 243,500 million units of Dangote Cement Plc for $300m (N48.7bn) at N200 per unit from Dangote Industries Limited.

Confirming the deal, the Nigerian Stock Exchange said the units were traded on Monday as an off-market trade.

It added that the purchase and sale were executed by Meristem Securities Limited, while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc acted as the banker.

A statement on the deal explained that the agreement was signed at a ceremony in Dubai, which was attended by the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, ICD, Mohammed Al Shaibani, and the President/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

According to the statement, the deal places Dangote Cement, which accounts for up to 30 per cent of the NSE’s total market capitalisation, above industry heavyweights such as Anhui, CRH and Heidelberg in terms of value.

Al Shaibani was quoted as saying, “We believe sub-Saharan Africa, and particularly Nigeria, provides fantastic long-term investment opportunities. In this case, Dangote Cement provides some excellent investment credentials, being a highly profitable, well-capitalised and efficiently run organisation, with a market leading position in the largest African economy and very well positioned to access and act on growth opportunities across the continent.

“Consequently, we are very pleased to be given the opportunity to invest and participate in its future growth potential.”

Dangote expressed his pleasure that “a prestigious investor” such as the ICD had joined Dangote Cement’s growing list of international blue-chip shareholders.

He said, “They share our vision of Africa that will grow to become an economic powerhouse in the coming decades as its people rise to become prosperous members of the global economy.

“Our products may be simple bags of cement but millions of Africans will use them to build a continent that is rich in opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors like ICD, who support them.”

 

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