Dangote Cement has reportedly been granted 5-year approval for a 27 hectare pozzolan quarry in Tombel, Cameroon.

The quarry will support the company’s cement plant in Douala, which is set to be officially launched this month. As well as sharing royalties with the district, the quarry will also benefit the local community by providing 100 jobs to local people.

The new cement plant will produce 1 million tpa and is set to lift Cameroon’s cement production capacity to 3 million t against an estimated demand of 2.5 million t.

Meanwhile, in Dangote Cement’s home country of Nigeria, the Benue state government is said to have sold 43 million shares in the company for a value of N9.6 billion, though the government has denied these claims.

The transactions have reportedly been taking place gradually since 1 August 2014. Analysts believe the state is divesting its entire stake in the company – a move that is causing concern among some local groups.