By Mary Izuaka

 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has flagged possible manipulation of cement prices in Nigeria following a three-month industry-wide investigation that found retail prices rising sharply despite significant excess production capacity.

FCCPC, in a statement on Tuesday, said this is the preliminary summary of the 40-page field reports compiled following a three-month cross-border study by the Commission’s Anticompetitive Practices Department (ACP).

The commission said the investigation was triggered by widespread public complaints over the high cost of cement, a key input in Nigeria’s construction industry.

“Concerns were raised over the comparatively high retail price of cement in Nigeria compared with other markets, despite the country’s substantial limestone deposits, significant domestic production capacity and reported surplus installed capacity relative to domestic consumption.

“Significantly, all the major cement manufacturers in the country cooperated with the commission by making their records available except one of them. Publicly available estimates indicate that three major undertakings account for more than 90 per cent of installed production capacity in the country,” the commission said.

Nigeria pays more than neighbouring countries

The commission said its investigations extended to markets in Sub-Saharan Africa like Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa as well as Egypt, Morocco and Algeria, comparing variables such as limestone availability, population, production capacity and consumption.

In Kenya, for instance, the commission said the 58.6 million population (76 per cent lower than Nigeria’s) has domestic cement demand of approximately 9.3m MTPA (metric tonne per annum) in 2025. Retail price in Nairobi is $5.40 (N7,344). Kenya is endowed with limestone.

It said Tanzania, with a population of 66.3m (72 per cent lower than Nigeria’s), and a domestic cement demand of 9.3m MTPA (2025); a bag of cement sells for $4.80 (N6,528).

In Togo, a bag sells for $6.75 (N9,180). Significantly, Togo does not have limestone deposits.

Comparatively, in Nigeria, FCCPC said its market intelligence review shows that the retail price of a 50kg bag of cement rose significantly during the first half of 2026.

“A bag reportedly selling for between N9,300 and N9,700 in January was selling for between N10,500 and N13,000 by mid-year. By July, prices of between N13,000 and N15,000 were reported in some parts of the country,” it said.

The commission’s survey indicates that Nigeria has installed cement production capacity of more than 60 to 65 million metric tonnes annually, while estimated domestic consumption is approximately 25 to 30 million metric tonnes. Nigeria is also a net exporter of cement to neighbouring markets.

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“Of particular concern to the commission is that this level of production capacity has not resulted in the downward pressure on domestic prices that might ordinarily be expected in a competitive market with substantial excess capacity.

“Information provided by industry participants has identified energy costs, depreciation of the Naira and its effect on imported machinery and spare parts, as well as transportation and logistics costs, among the factors contributing to cement prices. The Commission is testing these explanations against verified information on costs, production, pricing and market conditions,” the statement said.

However, it said the weight of preliminary findings provides sufficient grounds for the investigation to continue.

“Next is to determine whether prevailing cement prices can be explained by legitimate costs and market conditions, or whether there is evidence of coordinated conduct, abuse of market power, restriction of domestic supply, anti-competitive distribution practices or other conduct contrary to the provisions of the FCCPA.

“Accordingly, the FCCPC has issued notices of commencement of investigation and summons to produce to the key players in the sector,” it said.