<< Back             Poser >> HBM Nigeria’s profit up 57% to N208bn By Peter Egwuatu  HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly Lafarge Africa Plc, has declared a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N208billion representing a 57% growth for the first half of 2026, H1’26, against N132.677 billion in the corresponding period of last year, H1’25. According to the result released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, the company’s net sales grew by 31% in H1’26, driven by an 11% volume growth, enhanced operational stability and improvement in distribution efficiency. Operating profit during the period grew by 51% to close at N291billion from N192.270 billion in H1’25 and was supported by sustained efficiency gains across the business while operating margin soared to 43% from 37% in H1’25. In his remarks on the result, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, HBM Nigeria Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi said: “Our H1 2026 performance demonstrates the continued strength of our business and the successful execution of our strategic priorities. These results reflect disciplined cost management, operational excellence, and prudent financial stewardship. We are focused on further improving supply reliability, advancing our cost leadership agenda, driving innovation, accelerating our sustainability initiatives, and maintaining the highest standards of health and safety.’  He further stated that HBM Nigeria will remain focused on building on a strong operational momentum by leveraging the industrial and technical expertise of Huaxin Building Materials Ltd to drive operational excellence and improve efficiency across the business. In light of this on HBM Nigeria’s business outlook for the rest of the year, Alade-Akinyemi continued: ”Nigeria’s demand outlook for cement remains positive, supported by ongoing infrastructure development, urbanization, and resilient activity across the construction sector, despite a dynamic global operating environment”. Vanguard Business News	Food inflation rate rises 5th consecutive month to 20.31% By Elizabeth Adegbesan Nigeria’s food inflation rate rose significantly by 2.79 percentage points to 20.31 percent in July from 17.52 percent in June, representing the fifth consecutive month’s rise since March 2026. The 20 percent threshold in food inflation rate was last recorded in February 2021. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this yesterday in its […] HBM Nigeria’s profit rises 57% to N208bn in H1’26 By Peter Egwuatu HBM Nigeria Plc, formerly Lafarge Africa Plc, recorded a 57 per cent increase in profit after tax (PAT) to N208 billion in the first half of 2026 (H1’26), from N132.677 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. The cement manufacturer, in its financial results released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), also […] How 24 firms control over 70% of Nigeria’s stock market Twenty-four companies have emerged as the most valuable stocks on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) year-to-date (YtD) as of August 17, 2026, collectively accounting for 74.8 per cent of the total market capitalisation of the equities market. Ghana government shifts economic focus from stability to growth, jobs – Minister Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister of Finance, says the government is shifting its economic focus from restoring macroeconomic stability to translating the gains into higher investment, production, exports and quality jobs. Nigeria-China trade hits $18bn in H1’26 Nigeria’s aquatic products have secured zero-tariff access to China’s market of about 1.4 billion consumers under a new protocol, as bilateral trade between both countries reaches $18 billion in the first half of 2026 (H1’26). The development is expected to boost Nigerian exports and foreign exchange earnings, with Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, disclosing that […] Cedi appreciates against US dollar from GH¢11.75 – GH¢10.94 in one week  The Ghana cedi appreciated significantly against the United States dollar over the past week, strengthening from an interbank buying rate of GH¢11.75 on August 10 to GH¢10.94 on August 17, according to Bank of Ghana daily exchange rate data.