Dangote Cement plant under construction in Ethiopia (Image: ethiosports.com)
Africa’s manufacturing industry is still not well developed despite the continent’s immense wealth in raw materials and natural resources. The manufacturers on the continent contribute about two percent of the global manufacturing output.
There are however some African companies that have been establishing their name in the global manufacturing market. Most of these firms are found in South Africa, making the country the top industrialized nation on the continent.
Here are some of Africa’s manufacturing companies that are making headway on the global front;
Companie Mauricienne de Textile Ltee – Mauritius: It was founded in 1986. It is a garment manufacturing company with its headquarters in Mauritius. It has marketing and distribution centers in France and The United Kingdom. It is the largest jersey wear manufacture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its operations include garment wash and dyeing, fabric knitting, yarn spinning and dyeing, printing and embroidery. Its products include polo/rugby shirts, T-shirts and fancy clothing. It has retailer stores in Europe and the United States of America.
Kenafric Industries Limited – Kenya: It was founded in 1987 in Kenya. The company produces confectionery, food, stationery and footwear products. It has operations in 22 African countries. It competes with global giants such as Wrigley, Bata Shoe Company and Unilever.
Nandos – South Africa: It was founded in 1987 in South Africa. It is a restaurant chain. The company is spread in over 30 countries across the world. The restaurant chain is famous for its PERi-PERi chicken which is flame-grilled. In 2016, it will open its biggest outlet in The United Kingdom.
SOCIETE CENTRALE LAITIERE SA – Morocco: It was started on January 20, 1959. Societe Centrale Laitiere SA is a Moroccan company that deals in the manufacture and selling of agricultural produce. It also constructs and installs milk, butter, cheese and yoghurt production plants.
Dangote Cement Plc – Nigeria: It was founded on November 4, 1992. It is a Nigerian cement manufacturing company owned by Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa. It has cement production plants in 18 African countries.
In August Dangote Cement Plc signed a $4.34 billion deal with China’s Sinoma International Engineering Company Limited to build 13 new plants across Africa. This will increase its production capacity behind world leading cement producer, LafargeHolcim, in the African market.
The company is also targeting the Nepal market in Asia.
Ethio-Leather Industry Plc (ELICO) – Ethiopia: It was established in August 1997. It is a leather manufacturing company with three factories, Abyssinia Tannery, Universal Leather Products Factory and Awash Tannery. It has three units; Leather Goods and Garment Unit, Goat Suede and Shoe Leather Unit and Gloving and Hides Unit. ELICO manufactures a wide range of finished leather products such as garments, shoes suede, cowhide crusts and others. In 2013, it started exporting shoes to markets in Europe and America.
Imperial Holdings Limited – South Africa: It was founded in 1948 in Johannesburg, South Africa. It provides services and products in the consumer and logistics industries. These include vehicle import and distribution, mining commodities, bulk liquids and powders and palletized products. It is spread in 31 countries across the world. It is the biggest car –dealership network in Africa.
Distell Group Limited – South Africa: It was founded on December 4, 2000 in Stellenbosch. It is a South African company that produces and distributes spirits,
