Mangiza Phiri has been appointed Country CEO of Dangote Cement Plc Ghana, marking a return to the cement industry for the Zambian executive after senior leadership roles spanning banking, manufacturing and off-grid energy across Africa.
Phiri announced the appointment on LinkedIn, describing it as a proud opportunity to join “an iconic African business at the forefront of the continent’s industrialisation.”
The appointment brings to Dangote Cement an executive with more than two decades of experience in commercial banking, cement manufacturing and energy access, as well as a track record of managing businesses across several African markets.
Cement Industry Experience
Phiri began his cement career at Lafarge Zambia, later known as Chilanga Cement, where he spent about 12 years rising from Commercial Analyst to Commercial Director and a member of the Country Executive Committee.
During his tenure, he led the company’s commercial response to the entry of two major competitors, helping recover market share from 24% to 32%. He also oversaw the launch of a digital sales channel and a restructuring of the sales organisation.
Phiri subsequently returned to the board of Chilanga Cement as a Non-Executive Director and minority shareholder representative from April 2023 to March 2026. He also served on the company’s Audit Committee before retiring by rotation.
Energy Sector Pivot
His career later shifted to the energy sector, where he became Managing Director of Fenix International Zambia before taking on regional leadership positions at ENGIE Energy Access.
As Country Director for Zambia, Phiri more than doubled profitability in 2021 and played a role in integrating Fenix following its acquisition by ENGIE.
He later served as Regional Director for Southern Africa and subsequently West Africa, overseeing operations in markets including Nigeria, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. His responsibilities included leading more than 660 employees and thousands of field agents.
Under his leadership, the Nigeria business recorded 30% growth in Solar Home System volumes in 2024 despite severe currency depreciation and high inflation. The business also constructed 35 mini-grids that provided electricity access to about 9,500 households.
Before joining Dangote Cement, Phiri served as Regional Director, West Africa, and Managing Director, Nigeria, at Ignite Energy Access between October 2025 and March 2026. He had responsibility for the profit and loss performance of solar home system and mini-grid businesses across several West African markets.
Phiri’s return to the cement industry comes as Dangote Cement continues to operate across several African markets. In Ghana, the company has import and bagging facilities in Tema as well as a grinding plant in Takoradi, positioning the business across key segments of the country’s cement market.
The Ghanaian cement industry is highly competitive, with established producers and local challengers competing for market share. Phiri’s previous experience in defending and expanding cement market share, combined with his more recent regional P&L and operational experience, could prove significant as Dangote Cement Ghana seeks to strengthen its commercial position.
His appointment therefore represents more than a return to an industry in which he built his early career. It also places a seasoned African executive with experience across manufacturing, banking and energy at the helm of Dangote Cement’s Ghana operations
