Why Cement Costs Keep Rising in Nigeria—And How Builders Can Beat the Price Hike
Sep 5, 2025

Last week, a Lagos contractor told me: “I abandoned a project because cement ate 40% of my budget.”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

The Raw Truth: 5 Reasons Cement is So Expensive

  1. Diesel Runs the Show
    Cement factories spend ₦1.2 million daily on diesel due to Nigeria’s power failures. Those costs land on your invoice.
  2. The Dollar Problem
    Ever noticed cement prices jump whenever the Naira crashes? Machines, spare parts, and gypsum are bought in USD. No forex, no cement.
  3. Roads That Eat Profit
    From Obajana to Onitsha, potholes and checkpoints add ₦500–₦1,000 per bag in transport costs.
  4. The “Big 3” Control Prices
    Dangote, BUA, and Lafarge dictate the market. Less competition = fewer price breaks for you.
  5. Middlemen Markups
    By the time cement moves from factory → distributor → retailer → your site, prices inflate by 20–30%.

How Smart Builders Are Fighting Back

1. Cut Out the Middlemen

  • What we do: At BuildAfrica.Store, we connect you directly to factories—no distributors adding unnecessary costs.
  • Real Example: A Benin-based builder saved ₦300/bag on 500 bags by ordering through us last month.

2. Bulk Buying = Bigger Savings

  • Factories give 5–15% discounts for 600+ bag orders.
  • Pro Tip: Partner with 2–3 other builders to hit minimums.

3. Lock in Prices Early

Cement prices change weekly. We alert our customers before hikes so you can stock up.

4. Alternative Materials

For non-load-bearing walls, consider:

Final Word

Yes, cement is expensive—but you don’t have to pay retail prices. The builders winning today are those who buy smarter.