Dangote Cement shelves London listing, blames market conditions for blow to LSE

Nigeria's Dangote Cement has paused its efforts to list on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) due to challenging market circumstances, causing disappointment for the UK bourse. The decision comes after market turbulence following the US midterm elections, but the company might reconsider the London listing when conditions become more predictable, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Wall Street experienced a decline last week due to investors' worries about the sustainability of the AI boom after the Democrats' midterm victory, causing the London's FTSE 100 index to also close lower that week. Dangote Cement, which debuted on the Nigerian stock market in 2010, announced in May that it was exploring a potential London listing, a move that would have expanded its reach to international investors and capital.

The company has contemplated a London listing multiple times over its 15-year history, but global downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted its attempts. It is part of the vast business empire of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, who recently launched Africa's largest share sale with the initial public offering of his oil refinery.

On Tuesday, Dangote Cement's board of directors decided not to proceed with the listing plans given the current market conditions and the firm's strategic priorities, stating so in a statement. "These are incredibly unfavorable conditions for anyone to attempt an IPO," said Samuel Kerr, an analyst at M&A analytics platform Mergermarket, noting the recent increase in equity volatility.

"Dangote could possibly finalize a deal now, but if they have the choice to wait for a more favorable market, that would likely lead to a better outcome and possibly a higher valuation." The company's shares continue to be traded on the Nigerian bourse, and the decision does not impact its operations or business strategies.