The era of Lafarge Africa Plc has officially come to an end following the company’s rebranding as HBM Nigeria Plc, a move that reflects a major shift in ownership and marks a new chapter in the history of one of Nigeria’s leading cement manufacturers.
The company formally adopted its new name, HBM Nigeria Plc, in May 2026 after shareholders approved a special resolution at its 67th Annual General Meeting held on April 30, 2026. The development brings to a close more than a decade of operating under the globally recognized Lafarge brand.
HBM, which stands for Huaxin Building Materials, reflects the company’s new identity under Chinese cement giant Huaxin Cement, following the exit of former majority shareholder Holcim from the Nigerian market.
The rebranding followed the completion of Holcim’s sale of its 83.81 percent controlling stake in the company to Huaxin Cement in August 2025. The transaction, valued at approximately $1 billion, made the Chinese firm the dominant shareholder and paved the way for the alignment of the Nigerian subsidiary with its new parent company.
Industry analysts view the transition as more than a simple corporate name change. The development symbolizes a significant shift in ownership from European to Chinese investors and underscores China’s growing influence in Africa’s industrial and manufacturing sectors.
The acquisition also strengthened Huaxin Cement’s presence on the continent, adding Nigeria to its existing African operations in countries such as Zambia, Malawi and South Africa.
Investors have responded positively to the ownership transition and rebranding process. Before the Holcim-Huaxin deal was announced in December 2024, Lafarge Africa’s shares traded at approximately N68 on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
By April 9, 2026, when the company filed its name-change proposal with the NGX, the stock had climbed to N214.90 per share. The rally continued in subsequent months, with the stock reaching N316 per share as of June 22, 2026.
The impressive performance represents a year-to-date gain of more than 135 percent from its opening price of N134.50 at the start of 2026, making HBM Nigeria one of the best-performing stocks on the Nigerian Exchange this year.
The surge in investor confidence has also significantly boosted the company’s market valuation. HBM Nigeria’s market capitalization has risen to approximately N5.09 trillion, placing it among the eight most valuable listed companies on the NGX.
Market observers say the company’s strong stock market performance reflects investor optimism about the strategic direction of the business under its new ownership, as well as expectations of increased investments, operational expansion and improved competitiveness in Nigeria’s cement industry.
With the Lafarge name now consigned to history, HBM Nigeria begins a new phase under Chinese leadership, carrying with it the legacy of one of Nigeria’s most prominent cement brands while positioning itself for future growth in Africa’s largest economy.