Dangote has invested over $280 million in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure, with the goal of transitioning its fleet to cleaner, more affordable energy sources by 2026.
This substantial investment underscores the company’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s CNG initiative, which aims to provide Nigerians with cheaper and cleaner fueling alternatives. Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, announced that the plan includes acquiring a fully CNG-powered fleet as part of a long-term strategy.
Pathak described this move as a significant milestone in Dangote’s clean energy transition, aiming to operate the majority of its fleet on CNG by mid-2026. As of October, the company has received its first batch of 1,500 mono-fuel CNG trucks, with an additional 1,600 trucks expected, bringing the total to 3,100 by year’s end.
President Tinubu has emphasized the importance of creating a favorable environment for private sector investments while expanding Nigeria’s CNG infrastructure to improve energy efficiency and foster economic growth. Recently, he announced the distribution of one million free CNG conversion kits for commercial vehicles used in transporting people, food, and goods, highlighting the urgent need to leverage the country’s natural gas resources in the transportation sector.
“This shift towards CNG in public transportation is not just a preference; it’s an economic necessity for Nigeria,” he stated.
Dangote Cement’s investment solidifies its leadership in the CNG sector and reflects a strong commitment to addressing climate change and facilitating a transition to a low-carbon economy. Pathak noted, “By mid-2026, Dangote Cement aims to operate a fleet primarily powered by CNG. To support this transformation, we are investing in expanding our CNG fueling infrastructure to ensure our growing fleet has reliable access to fuel.”
He also indicated that the company is aggressively pursuing its timeline for deployment, beginning in the first quarter of 2025. “We are focused on meeting our target dates for full compliance,” he added.
Pathak highlighted the positive impact of Dangote’s CNG infrastructure investments on Nigeria’s transition to cleaner fuels. The company’s CNG station at Obajana, capable of refueling over 3,000 trucks, exemplifies this commitment, with a second station currently being developed in Ibese to further enhance fleet operations.
Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, stated that the company’s CNG investments align with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2060. He expressed optimism about President Tinubu’s leadership in promoting energy efficiency, noting the essential role of private sector involvement in this initiative.
“With our early adoption of CNG, we have become the largest operator of CNG trucks in Nigeria, reinforcing Tinubu’s vision for enhancing the country’s energy independence and ensuring a secure energy future,” Dangote said. “We are committed to a cleaner, greener future, particularly under the new federal policies launched as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
