Lafarge Africa Plc has proposed a final dividend of 600 kobo per 50 kobo ordinary share for the year ended December 31, 2025, following a strong earnings performance that saw profit after tax surge by 173 percent to N273.12 billion.
The cement manufacturer, in its unaudited financial results, reported a profit before tax of N411.32 billion, driven by stronger operating earnings and improved net finance income.
The company recorded an income-tax expense of N138.20 billion, translating to an effective tax rate of 33.6 percent after accounting for corporate tax, education tax, and adjustments for non-taxable income and disallowable expenses.
The proposed dividend is subject to shareholders’ approval at the annual general meeting and will be paid to investors whose names appear in the Register of Members at the close of business on April 3, 2026. Payment is scheduled for April 30, 2026, and will be made electronically to shareholders who have completed the e-dividend registration process.
Read also: Lafarge Africa’s pre-tax profit up 170% as revenue hits N1trn
The dividend declaration comes on the back of record revenue of N1.066 trillion, crossing the N1 trillion mark for the first time in the company’s history. Cement sales contributed N1.036 trillion, while readymix and other products accounted for N29.97 billion.
Operating profit rose to N392.10 billion as revenue growth outpaced increases in cost of sales, which stood at N448.94 billion and was largely driven by fuel, power, raw materials, maintenance, and depreciation expenses. Gross profit climbed to N617.37 billion.
Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, chief executive officer, described the results as a milestone for the company.
“Full Year 2025 results are a testament to the effectiveness of our 4-point strategy, disciplined execution, and relentless focus on value creation. Reaching the N1 trillion net sales threshold, a 53 percent year-on-year increase, marks a historic turning point for our company,” he said.
He added that the performance reflects improved plant reliability, operational efficiency, and continued focus on shareholder value. The company also cited product innovation, including low-carbon concrete solutions, a new automated readymix facility, and ongoing capacity expansion projects as drivers of growth.
Despite higher selling and distribution expenses of N163.85 billion due to rising logistics and advertising costs, as well as administrative expenses of N65.65 billion, Lafarge strengthened its bottom line with finance income of N25.08 billion, which exceeded finance costs of N11.01 billion.
Total assets increased to N1.21 trillion, largely driven by growth in property, plant, and equipment to N790.15 billion following capital expenditure and project reclassifications.
According to African Xchange, a real-time stock market platform, Lafarge Africa is currently the 10th most valuable stock on the Nigerian Exchange Limited with a market capitalisation of N3.33 trillion, representing about 2.67 percent of the equity market.
The company’s share price has gained 53.9 percent year-to-date, rising from N134.50 at the start of the year, reflecting investor confidence buoyed by its earnings growth and dividend payout.
