HBM Nigeria Posts 57% Profit Growth in H1 2026

HBM Nigeria Plc recorded a 57 per cent increase in profit after tax during the first half of 2026, driven by stronger cement sales and improved efficiency.

The company, formerly known as Lafarge Africa Plc, reported that profit after tax rose to ₦208.35 billion, while revenue climbed 31 per cent year-on-year to ₦678.41 billion, up from about ₦517 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. Profit before tax reached ₦317.73 billion, while operating profit increased 51 per cent to ₦291 billion, lifting the operating margin to 43 per cent from 37 per cent a year earlier. Sales volumes also grew by 11 per cent, reflecting sustained demand for the company’s products.

The strong HBM Nigeria H1 2026 results build on the company’s impressive performance in 2025, when revenue rose 53 per cent to ₦1.07 trillion and profit after tax surged 173 per cent to ₦273.1 billion. The latest figures suggest the company continues to strengthen profitability through a combination of higher sales volumes, improved product mix and disciplined cost management.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, credited the performance to operational excellence, prudent financial management and effective cost control. He said the company would continue improving supply reliability, strengthening cost leadership, driving innovation and advancing sustainability initiatives while maintaining high health and safety standards.

As part of its growth strategy, HBM Nigeria Plc has begun engineering design for a third production line at its Calabar plant, a 3-million-tonne-per-annum integrated cement facility. The company expects the project to be completed within 12 months after construction begins, subject to regulatory and development approvals.

With an installed production capacity of 10.5 million tonnes per annum, management said demand remains positive, supported by infrastructure projects, urbanisation and increased construction activity. The HBM Nigeria H1 2026 results also reflect investor confidence following the company’s acquisition by Huaxin Building Materials, which was completed in August 2025.

Do you think HBM Nigeria’s planned capacity expansion will help it maintain its strong earnings growth in the coming years?