Lafarge Africa Pioneers Green Mobility in Africa with Electric Truck in Supply Fleet

Bennett  Oghifo

Leading Innovative and Sustainable Building Solutions Company, Lafarge Africa Plc today announced a significant milestone in its sustainability journey with the launch of an Electric Vehicle (EV) truck into its supply chain fleet. This significant milestone which is in partnership with Tolaram, marks the first-of-its-kind in Africa, underscoring Lafarge Africa’s unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions for a greener future.

Lafarge Africa’s commitment to sustainability has been steadfastly demonstrated through a series of strategic actions aimed at reducing carbon emissions and fostering environmental responsibility. As part of its ‘Accelerating Green Mobility’ strategy, Lafarge Africa has been actively pursuing the deployment of cutting- edge technologies that enhance efficiency, customer experience, and most importantly, significantly reduce the carbon footprint within its supply chain.

Speaking at the launch of the EV Truck at the company’s Ewekoro factory, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, GMD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, said: “today, as we gather here, we mark yet another significant milestone in our sustainability journey. We are proud to announce the launch of the first-ever Heavy Goods Electric Vehicle (EV) truck in Nigeria, an achievement that not only highlights our commitment to innovation but also solidifies our position as pioneers in the pursuit of environmentally responsible practices within our industry.”

According to Lolu Alade-Akinyemi the building solutions company has achieved notable milestones in its accelerating green mobility journey, “Our journey towards a more sustainable future began years ago with a vision to integrate environmentally friendly practices into every aspect of our operations. This vision has guided us through a series of significant milestones that have reshaped the landscape of our supply chain.”

Reflecting on Lafarge’s commitment to sustainable supply chain, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi stated that the introduction of the EV truck marks a significant shift towards a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable supply chain. He added that this strategic move not only benefits the environment but also holds immense promise for all stakeholders.

In relation to this, he emphasized that the drivers, who are fundamental to the company’s operations, will now have the opportunity to operate technologically advanced vehicles that contribute to a healthier planet. Highlighting the advantages, he pointed out that EV trucks are not only quieter, smoother, and easier to operate, but also ensure better working conditions and safety for the drivers. 

He also anticipates that this pioneering move will lead to enhanced efficiency and an improved customer experience.

In his remarks, Osaze Aghatise, the Logistics Director, Lafarge Africa Plc remarked:  “The introduction of the EV Truck signifies an important achievement in our logistics strategy, signaling our transition to  more eco-friendly and sustainable transportation practices. Our aim is to incorporate more EV Trucks into our fleet in the near future alongside our exploration of other sustainable transportation initiatives. This exemplifies our unwavering dedication to taking a leadership role within our industry, fostering the development of competitive and sustainable supply chain.”

Reflecting on the journey thus far, Aghatise noted that Lafarge Africa has made remarkable strides. “In 2017, we took the first step by introducing five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks into our fleet, marking the inception of our sustainability initiative. Building upon this success, we amplified our efforts in 2021 by integrating an additional 50 CNG trucks into our operations, signaling our steadfast commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.

“Continuing our commitment to progress, we further elevated our sustainability strategy in 2022 by integrating rail movements into our dispatch operations. Simultaneously, we embarked on the deployment and installation of dual-fuel mix (Gas/AGO) trucks, reinforcing our dedication to exploring diverse eco-friendly transportation options.”

This EV truck have an impressive range, capable of traveling up to 200 kilometers on a single charge. It will primarily operate from Lafarge’s Ewekoro plant, making it well-suited for urban and suburban product distribution.

Commenting at the launch, Saeed Ande, Procurement Director, Lafarge Africa Plc; said: “For us sustainability is a way of life. From a procurement standpoint, this project delivers value to our multiple stakeholders and efficiency for the end user which then translates to a positive impact on the bottom line. In procurement we can conceive innovative ideas, we can talk about them, but we need great partners, with the same sustainability goals. My charge to other partners who have approached me on their readiness is that, we are ready for a win-win partnership that accelerates decarbonization, innovation and value to our stakeholders, we can together take this to the next level and reach the stars.”

Saurav Agrawal, General Manager, BHN, expressed, “Today, we take pride in being part of this commissioning today. This project stands as a noteworthy achievement for both Lafarge and us. It marks a significant stride toward a clean environment. We want to thank Lafarge for initiating this project and collaborating with us. Our partnership with Lafarge has endured for over a decade, and we look forward to further collaborations in the future.”