Nigeria’s cement sector is about to see fresh competition as MSM Group prepares to establish a massive production plant in Kebbi State valued at $600 million. The initiative, championed by the group’s chairman, Muazzam Mairawani, is expected to inject new energy into a market currently dominated by Dangote Cement and BUA Cement.
The upcoming facility is projected to produce 12 million tons annually. While that figure trails BUA’s 17 million and Dangote’s 52 million, analysts say the development signals the beginning of stronger competition in the country’s construction materials industry.
Global Expansion Meets Local Investment
Mairawani, who hails from Kano, has built MSM Group into a diversified empire spanning shipping, agriculture, logistics, financial technology, and energy. With an educational background that combines business systems training in the United Kingdom and computing expertise from Singapore, he has consistently combined technology and commerce to grow his business portfolio.
His latest foray into cement production comes just as the group pursues international capital through a $225 million Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq. The IPO, managed through MSM Frontier Capital, involves 22.5 million shares priced at $10 each and is aimed at drawing an estimated $2.7 billion in yearly investment inflows for Nigeria.
Cement Strategy and Industrial Impact
According to the group, the Kebbi facility will be developed in clusters, each valued at approximately $600 million. The project is intended not only to boost cement supply but also to create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term manufacturing capacity.
Industry experts note that the challenge for MSM will be achieving competitive scale against entrenched market leaders with multi-trillion-naira valuations. Nonetheless, the Kebbi investment underscores the government’s industrialisation agenda, which prioritises large-scale private sector participation.
Expanding Energy Footprint
Beyond cement, MSM continues to deepen its energy operations. Since acquiring Oil Mining Lease 98, the company has almost doubled its proven reserves from 118 million to 244 million barrels in less than a year. This rapid growth has been attributed to a management team with decades of upstream experience.
A New Industrial Player Emerges
Founded in 2011 as a fertilizer trading outfit, MSM has evolved into a conglomerate with strong positions across logistics, energy, cement distribution, and technology. With its bold push into cement manufacturing and a landmark U.S. listing in motion, the company is positioning itself as a critical force in Nigeria’s industrial future.
