Lafarge Africa Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Rajesh Surana as a Non-Executive Director, effective July 22, 2025. His appointment follows the resignation of Mrs. Claudia Albertini, who steps down from the board on July 21, 2025, after serving since July 2023.
This board transition will be ratified at the company’s next Annual General Meeting (AGM). The strategic appointment aligns with Lafarge Africa’s vision to deepen corporate governance and enhance strategic oversight amid Nigeria’s evolving cement industry landscape.
Rajesh Surana brings over 20 years of cross-border leadership experience in Asia and Africa. A qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) and Company Secretary (FCS), he is widely recognized as a transformational “P&L” leader with a strong track record of delivering sustainable business growth.
Currently, Surana serves as the Area Manager for East & South Africa at Holcim Group. He joined the global building materials leader in 2005 and has since held several top roles across emerging markets.
As former CEO and Country Representative in Bangladesh for Holcim, Surana led a successful post-merger integration and launched high-margin verticals that delivered industry-leading financial and sustainability results. He also oversaw the restructuring and divestment of Holcim Lanka, and pioneered the setup of Holcim’s South Asia IT Services hub.
His leadership style blends innovation, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement, positioning him as a valuable addition to Lafarge’s boardroom.
Surana holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi. He has served in governance roles with the International Chamber of Commerce & Industry, French-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, American International School Dhaka, and the Overseas School of Colombo.
He is a member of the European Business Climate Dialogue and a founding President of the Dhaka Indian CEOs Group, further demonstrating his deep international business acumen.
