Lafarge Africa Plc, a prominent Sub-Saharan Africa building solutions company, reported a massive 246 percent surge in profit after tax to ₦207.78 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a dramatic increase from the ₦60.08 billion reported in the same period last year.

This stellar performance, largely attributed to robust cement sales, was reflected in the company’s unaudited financial statement, which showed that revenue grew by 63 percent to ₦780.49 billion, up from ₦479.49 billion in the corresponding period of 2024.

Cement remained the dominant revenue driver, accounting for ₦759.62 billion of total sales, representing a 63 percent jump from the ₦466.27 billion recorded a year earlier. Sales from aggregates and concrete also grew to ₦19.95 billion from ₦12.89 billion, while other product revenues reached ₦915.24 million.

Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, CEO of Lafarge Africa, commented on the success in the earnings report, stating: “We closed 9M 2025 with Net Sales and Operating Profit up 63 percent and 129 percent, respectively. Our 9M 2025 performance reaffirms our resilience, underpinned by sustained volume growth, operational excellence, innovative product offerings, and agile response to market opportunities.”

The company’s focus on efficiency drove the Operating profit to surge 129 percent to ₦298.41 billion, reflecting improved operational efficiency, reduced production costs, and higher output across its cement plants.

This contributed to Profit Before Tax jumping to ₦313.29 billion compared to ₦94.33 billion in the same period last year. Consequently, basic earnings per share rose significantly to 1,290 kobo from 373 kobo, underscoring stronger shareholder value creation.

Lafarge managed to balance its cost structure despite inflationary pressures and energy price volatility, evidenced by the fact that Cost of sales increased moderately by 34 percent to ₦324.36 billion, a growth rate far below the 63 percent growth in revenue, which highlights better production efficiency and scale gains.

On the expenditure side, administrative expenses increased to ₦44.79 billion from ₦26.84 billion, primarily due to higher staff and technical service costs, while selling and distribution expenses rose to ₦117.24 billion.

Crucially, the company’s debt management was effective, as finance costs decreased significantly to ₦5.40 billion from ₦36.56 billion in the prior year, following the repayment of borrowings and a reduction in exposure to foreign exchange losses.

Conversely, finance income grew sharply to ₦20.28 billion from ₦810.54 million, boosted by interest income on short-term deposits and exchange gains.

The company’s total assets rose to ₦1.03 trillion at the end of September 2025, up from ₦810 billion in the same period last year, a position supported by increased investment in property, plant, and equipment (₦440.62 billion) and stronger cash positions.

Total equity expanded robustly to ₦629.2 billion from ₦345 billion, driven by retained earnings, which surged 40 percent to ₦440.2 billion.

This demonstrates Lafarge Africa’s improved profitability and strong capital retention strategy, despite a dividend payout of ₦83.13 billion earlier in the year.

Lafarge Africa maintained a solid liquidity position, with cash and cash equivalents closing at ₦204.88 billion compared to ₦235.23 billion at the start of the year, a marginal decline attributed to higher capital expenditure and dividend payments.

Net cash generated from operating activities increased to ₦91.48 billion from ₦40.76 billion in 2024, highlighting the company’s strong cash-generating capacity.

Investment activities saw an outflow of ₦36.16 billion, mainly for plant upgrades and equipment purchases, while financing activities consumed ₦84.84 billion due to dividend payments and loan settlements.

Looking ahead, CEO Alade-Akinyemi concluded: “As we look forward, we remain attentive to the dynamic macroeconomic environment, and we are confident that our resilience and strategic focus position us to seize emerging opportunities, drive sustainable growth, and deliver lasting value.”