Nigerian cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement is going to acquire a 45% minority stake in South Africa based Sephaku Cement.

The partnership with Dangote is primarily to finance the construction of a new US$375 million cement manufacturing plant in South Africa. The facility is expected to produce 2.2 million tonnes annually and should come on stream by mid 2010.

The Dangote Group also has interests in sugar, salt, flour, pasta, shipping and telecommunications. Two of its subsidiaries are listed on the Nigeria stock exchange.