csrreporters 
Lafarge Africa Plc has taken a major leap toward decarbonising Nigeria’s construction industry with the official launch of EcoCrete, the country’s first low carbon ready-mix concrete. The groundbreaking product was unveiled at the company’s Abuja Ready Mix Plant on Wednesday, reaffirming Lafarge’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and industry leadership.
According to a statement by the company, EcoCrete reduces carbon emissions by at least 20% compared to conventional CEM I concrete, while maintaining superior strength, durability, and performance.
Speaking at the launch event attended by industry regulators, government representatives, and key stakeholders, Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, described the development as a milestone in the company’s sustainability journey.
“With EcoCrete, we are redefining what’s possible in construction delivering strength and performance while significantly reducing our environmental footprint. Our Abuja Ready-Mix Plant has now been converted to 100% EcoCrete production, marking the first phase of a broader rollout across Nigeria,” he said.
Alade-Akinyemi added that the company’s mission goes beyond production to include scaling sustainable solutions that align business growth with environmental stewardship.
“Over the last year, we’ve introduced products like Ecoplanet Elephant and Unicem Cement each representing a bold step forward. Today, with EcoCrete, we’re proving that growth and responsibility can go hand in hand,” he said.
In his keynote address, Temitope Akinyemi, Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Climate Finance and Green Growth, lauded Lafarge for leading the industry’s sustainability shift.
“EcoCrete is perfectly aligned with Nigeria’s Green Growth Strategy, which balances development needs with environmental responsibility. This innovation sends a strong signal that Nigeria is ready to lead in sustainable construction and that climate-friendly growth is achievable,” Akinyemi said.
Also speaking, Xu Gang, Vice President for International Business at Huaxin, Lafarge’s strategic partner, highlighted the synergy between global expertise and local ambition that birthed EcoCrete.
“This milestone reflects our shared commitment to decarbonising the construction industry. By converting the Abuja plant to 100% EcoCrete, we’re not only supporting Nigeria’s infrastructure growth but doing so responsibly,” he said.
Similarly, Prof. Innocent Bariate Barikor, Director General and CEO of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), commended Lafarge for setting a new benchmark for corporate environmental responsibility and expressed readiness to collaborate on future sustainability initiatives.
With the launch of EcoCrete, Lafarge Africa continues to position itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s transition to sustainable infrastructure combining innovation, green growth, and global best practices to build a more resilient future for the nation.