The global slowdown has prompted a Nigerian cement company to postpone plans to buy $3.3bn (£2.1bn, €2.3bn) in plant building and materials from a Chinese contractor in a sign that China’s burgeoning trade with Africa may be starting to soften.

Dangote Group signed a deal with Sinoma International Engineering, the Chinese construction company, in February to build a series of plants needed to fulfil its goal of overtaking France’s Lafarge to become Africa’s largest cement maker.