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Dangote Cement to pay over N97 bn in corporate tax for 2020

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Africa’s largest cement producer, Dangote Cement Plc has remained a major contributor to the economy with a tax charge of N97 billion for the financial year ended 31st December 2020, even as it proposed a dividend of N16 per share.
According to the cement group’s audited results released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the tax charge represents an increase over the sum of N50 billion recorded in 2019.

Dangote Cement’s Nigerian operations during the period sold 15.9Mt for the full year 2020, compared to 14.1Mt in 2019. This includes both cement and clinker sales. Looking at the domestic sales alone, Nigerian operations sold 15.6Mt. Revenues for the Nigerian operations came in at ₦720.0 billion, owing to demand in the domestic market. This volume growth was enhanced by a successful innovative national consumer promotion “Bag of Goodies – Season 2” and lower rains in the third quarter compared to the previous year.

Dangote Cement posted a record high Pan-African EBITDA of ₦71.3 billion. Within the period under review, the cement group commissioned its gas power plant in Tanzania. Group earnings per share was ₦16.14.

Dangote Cement recorded strong performance not only at the top line but also at the bottom line, owing to cost saving measures. Despite inflationary pressures and foreign exchange volatility, disciplined cost control measures enabled the company to maintain a relatively flat cash cost per tonne. The cost control measures include improved plant efficiency, better fuel mix and general overhead optimization

Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Michel Puchercos, in his comments on the results, said: “2020 was a good year for Dangote Cement across board. Several firsts made 2020 a productive year such as our maiden clinker shipment, maiden bond issuance and successful buyback programme. We increased our capacity by 3Mt in Nigeria, commissioned our two export terminals and commissioned our gas power plant in Tanzania. All these were achieved whilst we focused on protecting our people, customers and communities from the impact of the pandemic.

“Looking ahead, we have strengthened our Alternative Fuel initiative which focuses on leveraging the circular economy business model and reducing exposure of our cost base to foreign currencies fluctuations. We continue to embed Dangote Cement’s 7 sustainability pillars into every aspect of our operation and culture.
“We remain committed to keeping safe our staff and communities by being fully compliant with health and safety measures in all our territories of operation. We are focused on adapting to the rapidly evolving markets in which we operate.”

Dangote Cement Plc is sub-Saharan Africa’s largest cement producer with an installed capacity of 45.6Mta across 10 African countries and operates a fully integrated “quarry-to-customer” business with activities covering manufacturing, sales and distribution of cement.

Dangote Cement has a long-term credit rating of AA+ by GCR and Aa2.ng by Moody’s due to its market leading position, significant operational scale and strong financial profile evidenced by the company’s robust operating and net profit margins relative to regional and global peers, adequate working capital, satisfactory cash flow and low leverage.

Dangote Cement is a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, a diversified and fully integrated conglomerate as well as a leading brand across Africa in businesses such as cement, sugar, salt, beverages, and real estate, with new multi-billion dollar projects underway in the oil and gas, petrochemical, fertiliser and agricultural sectors.

 

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Lubricants and Nigeria’s economy

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By Cosmas Chukwunonso Nwobi

Every engine depends on oil, which serves as the heat transfer medium and lubricant for moving parts. It stops wears and damages from happening because the moving parts won’t be rubbing against one another.

The primary consumers of engine oil in Nigeria are those who own cars, generators, enterprises, tricycles, and motorcycles. Diesel and gasoline engines both utilize various grades of engine oil. Diesel engine oil is used to maintain heavy vehicles (diesel vehicles), small and large generators, as well as passenger vehicles (light vehicles). Petrol engine oil is used to maintain passenger vehicles (light vehicles).

The overall annual requirement for lubricating oils across the globe is projected to be 50 billion liters, or 60 percent automotive and 40percent industrial. However, industrial lubricants account for more than 70% of total global gross revenues and profit margins.

According to projections, Nigeria, with a gross domestic product of N150 billion in 2013 and more than N450.37 billion by the end of Q1 2021, is the third-largest user of lubricating oils in Africa, consuming 700 million liters of the substance per year (or 1 percent of the global demand).

The aggregate profit margins of the blending plants were N45 billion in 2013 and N120 billion in the first quarter of 2021. Their total assets are projected to be worth N20 billion. This indicates that domestic production of lubricating oils meets 75 percent of the country’s total demand, with imports from specialist marketing companies providing the remaining 25percent.

You might also be interested to know that, over the projected period (2021-2026), the market for lubricants in Nigeria is anticipated to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.54%, reaching 300,399.52 kilo tons by 2026. which demonstrates that the market for automotive lubricants in Nigeria is anticipated to grow to $683 million by 2023.

This demonstrates that the significance of engine oil cannot be overemphasized and that lubricant production would be a very profitable business endeavor that would considerably boost Nigeria’s economy.

However, this industry was adversely affected by Nigeria’s slowing economic growth. The 2016 recession brought on by the sharp decline in global oil prices was the root cause of the downturn. Oil prices started the year at $36.76 a barrel and reached a high of $54.06 for the year. The lack of foreign exchange had a serious negative impact on the ability of various lubricants manufacturing companies to conduct business and imposed severe costs on key sectors of the country, which further cascaded into all areas of the economy. Given that many players in the industry imported large volumes of base oil and other raw materials needed to blend lubricants at the time, this meant that the shortage of foreign exchange affected all sectors of the economy.

However, the investment landscape is currently changing and Nigeria’s lubricant industry, if properly managed, will surely triple it’s current position in a few years to come. This is due to large oil marketers taking advantage of the lubricants market’s deregulation and lack of significant government intervention.

I commend the effort of the Nigerian Government so far in reducing import charges for Lubricant Blending plants firmly advocate for the need of a driving and I strongly advocate that more can be done in this area since Nigeria’s lubricant business has great prospects for investors. Should we succeed, early investors will also benefit from pioneer status and a five-year tax break.

I firmly believe that better consumer education, cooperation with transportation companies, increased consumer knowledge, and the provision of higher-quality lubricants at lower prices would help Nigeria’s lubricant manufacturers expand and make more money.

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Best choice Specialist Hospital Launches First Intensive Infant Phototherapy Machine In Kano

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_”A Beacon of Progress in Northern Nigeria!”_

In a groundbreaking move, Best Choice Hospital has taken a significant leap forward in pediatric care with the introduction of the Infant Phototherapy Unit, a groundbreaking technology designed to treat jaundice and prevent brain damage in newborns.

In a statement signed by Auwal Muhammad Lawal Group Managing Director of the Hospital noted that pioneering technology enables medical professionals to transfuse blood with unparalleled precision, safety significantly enhancing treatment outcomes for children.

…. Noted that the innovative machine boasts a remarkable 70% radiance output and features a standard phototherapeutic unit, eliminating the need for blood transfusions.

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Auwal reiterated that introduction of this advanced state-of-art machine marks a significant milestone in Best Choice Hospital’s ongoing commitment to pediatric excellence.

With its advanced capabilities, the Infant Phototherapy Unit can effectively treat jaundice in a targeted manner, providing a beacon of hope for families.

“We understand the distress and hardship that comes with pediatric medical conditions”

“That’s why we’ve invested on this to ease the burden on families and provide children with the best possible chance at a healthy life”. Said Lawal

As the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, this cutting-edge technology offers a comprehensive treatment solution for infants, covering the entire body with its optimal wavelength.

Dr. Abdulmalik Saminu, a leading medical expert expresses optimism that the development reinforces Best Choice Hospital’s position as a leader in pediatric care, providing families with renewed hope and confidence in the treatment of their loved ones.

Saminu further conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the hospital’s proprietor for his tireless efforts in making this life-changing technology available.

With the Infant Phototherapy Unit, families no longer need to travel abroad for medical treatment, as Best Choice Hospital now offers world-class care right in their own backyard.

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Naira depreciates to N1,635 in parallel market

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The Naira yesterday depreciated to N1,635 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,625 per dollar last weekend.

However, the Naira yesterday appreciated to N1,585.77 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM.

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Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,585.77 per dollar from N1,598.56 per dollar last weekend, indicating N12.79 appreciation for the naira. The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market declined by 58.8 percent to $71.18 million from $172.8 million traded last week Friday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rate widened to N49.23 per dollar from N26.44 per dollar last weekend.

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