As it seeks to reshape West Africa’s cement sector, we reconnect with LafargeHolcim Côte d’Ivoire, who is on a mission to provide high-quality, sustainable construction solutions whilst actively contributing to the socioeconomic progress of the region. Rachid Yousry, Country CEO, tells us more.
CEMENTING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
A subsidiary of the Holcim Group, LafargeHolcim Cote d-Ivoire (LafargeHolcim CI) has embodied excellence and innovation in the country’s cement industry since 1952.
Committed to sustainable development and research, the company has emerged as a key player in the sector, currently employing 150 staff members and over 200 subcontractors.
“Ciment Bélier, our flagship product, has played a crucial role in the construction of major infrastructure and buildings across the country and continues to drive the growth of construction projects in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond,” introduces Rachid Yousry, Country CEO.
With an annual production capacity of two million tonnes (t), LafargeHolcim CI ensures continuous, efficient distribution and a market-responsive supply.
Operating from its headquarters in Abidjan and with a manufacturing plant, quarry, and raw materials storage facility at its disposal, the company remains true to its mission.
“Demonstrating our expertise and industrial heritage, we are on a mission to provide high-quality, sustainable construction solutions and actively contribute to the socioeconomic progress of the region,” he confirms.
A SUSTAINABLE OPERATION
Standing out from the competition as the only company producing six different types of cement, LafargeHolcim CI considers itself a market transformer.
Its slag cement is highly praised for a low carbon footprint and its exceptional resistance to the most aggressive environments. As pioneers of white cement in West Africa, the company also supplies builders and architects with premium raw material that meets the highest standards.
“In an industry where the proliferation of products exposes users to major risks, we have maintained the trust of our customers through our unwavering quality and unmatched stability,” Yousry tells us.
As such, every bag of Ciment Bélier embodies LafargeHolcim CI’s absolute commitment to sustainability and reliability.
With environmental preservation and sustainable construction at its core, the company is also launching its own pozzolana cement quarry – a low-carbon cement product designed to combine performance and environmental responsibility by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 40 percent across the construction sector.
As an end-to-end managed site with an annual production capacity of 300,000t, LafargeHolcim CI’s pozzolana quarry in Sokouamékro has so far enabled a cumulative reduction of over 500,000t of carbon emissions since its commissioning.
“This breakthrough aligns perfectly with our goal of offering increasingly innovative and eco-friendly materials,” he prides.
LafargeHolcim CI also invested F. CFA 3.5 billion in 2018 to install a cement bag palletiser, significantly reducing manual handling which is known to be a primary source of dust emissions during loading operations.
“In 2021, we also commissioned a new clinker silo, backed by an F. CFA18 billion investment,” Yousry adds.
This strategic infrastructure reduces truck unloading operations by 90 percent, which led to a significant drop in dust emissions from raw materials transport, and helped decongest the port area, eliminating the equivalent of 18,000 trucks per year.
POWERED BY PEOPLE
With strength that goes beyond its products, LafargeHolcim CI’s dedicated, innovative, and passionate teams are at the heart of its success, giving their best every day to build the future.
“Our employees are the driving force behind our success. We foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and well-being, where every team member is valued for their dedication and expertise,” Yousry outlines.
Celebrating loyalty and excellence through dedicated events, such as the recent Honorary Work Medal Ceremony which recognised the contributions and commitment of employees over the years, LafargeHolcim CI is dedicated to staff development.
“We invest in training and skill-building programmes, enabling our teams to acquire new expertise and advance their careers” he details.
The company seizes every opportunity to prioritise internal candidates who demonstrate strong engagement and a clear willingness to develop the organisation when it comes to recruitment.
“We also continuously strive to improve working conditions, integrating modern infrastructure and initiatives that enhance safety and well-being,” Yousry continues.
LafargeHolcim CI firmly believes that respect, recognition, and inclusion are essential to building a high-performing and sustainable company.
Through these commitments, it creates an environment where everyone has a place and can actively contribute to collective progress.
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
Dedicated to transforming the construction industry by integrating innovative and sustainable solutions, LafargeHolcim CI’s initiatives reflect its ambition to build responsibly and contribute to community development.
Fuelled by the momentum of its pozzolana cement launch in 2024, the company took a decisive step forward with the launch of Bélier Blanc cement – the first white cement produced in West Africa that is fully compliant with international standards.
“This product provides construction professionals with a high-quality local alternative, reducing reliance on imports and ensuring consistent availability,” Yousry explains.
LafargeHolcim CI’s commitment to progress extends beyond industrial innovation and into education and community development.
“With a total of F.CFA200 million invested in École Primaire Publique (EPP) Kouamekro , a local primary school, we are providing a modern and secure educational environment for the children of Sokouamékro,” he impassions.
Following the official handover of the classrooms in October 2023, the company is continuing its initiative with the construction of a school canteen, library, and six housing units for teachers.
“By delivering these essential infrastructures on a 1.5-hectare site, we are helping to create an optimal learning environment, whilst enhancing the school’s appeal for both teachers and students.”
LafargeHolcim CI is also investing in environmental measures to improve its processes and minimise its ecological footprint.
“Reducing dust emissions by utilising innovative equipment, optimising raw material transportation, and enhancing working conditions with safer and more sustainable infrastructure are just a few of the initiatives that demonstrate our commitment to responsible construction,” Yousry shares.
In July 2024, meanwhile, the company further strengthened its environmental initiatives with an F.CFA360 million investment in an innovative covering system for one of its plant’s shipping areas.
“This pioneering project underscores LafargeHolcim CI’s commitment to providing a healthier and more comfortable work environment, benefiting both employees and surrounding communities,” he adds.
Through these undertakings, the company reaffirms its ambition to build a sustainable and inclusive future, contributing to progress for both people and the planet.
“These investments go beyond technological and financial advancements – they reflect a broader vision of an industry capable of combining performance with environmental responsibility”
Rachid Yousry, Country CEO, LafargeHolcim Côte d’Ivoire
A BRIGHT FUTURE
Through an ambitious and structured approach based on six strategic pillars, LafargeHolcim CI reaffirms its commitment to building a safer, healthier, and more environmentally responsible workplace.
“Health and safety are no longer seen as a set of rules to follow. Our employees increasingly understand and believe that processes and safety standards are there to protect them — not to constrain them,” Yousry reflects.
A testament to the company’s ongoing commitment and tangible progress in health, safety, and environment (HSE) protocols, LafargeHolcim CI is proud to announce its official status as part of Holcim Group’s Excellence Club for HSE, earning the distinguished silver status.
“This recognition reflects our continuous efforts to uphold the highest safety standards, foster a proactive safety culture, and implement innovative solutions that protect our employees, partners, and communities,” he smiles.
The accolade also reinforces the company’s dedication to making workplace safety a priority and striving for excellence in every aspect of its operations.
Elsewhere, LafargeHolcim CI has recently reinforced its commitment to the circular economy by installing a cement recycling station on-site, representing an investment of F.CFA19.7 million.
“These investments go beyond technological and financial advancements – they reflect a broader vision of an industry capable of combining performance with environmental responsibility.”
Going forwards, LafargeHolcim CI has set a clear ambition to continue to significantly reduce the clinker factor in its cement formulations to increase the sustainability of its products, having already achieved a 3.89 percent decrease between 2022 and 2024.
By 2030, the company’s goal is to achieve a global clinker factor of just 61 percent, aligning the African cement industry with a sustainable trajectory that promotes the circular economy and preservation of natural resources.
“This commitment reflects our dedication to innovation by integrating more responsible solutions whilst maintaining leading industrial performance,” Yousry passionately concludes.
