Nigeria, Aug. 18 -- The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says preliminary findings from an investigation into Nigeria's cement market have raised concerns over possible manipulation of prices in the sector.

The investigation was launched following widespread complaints about the rising cost of cement, a major input in Nigeria's construction industry, with the regulator now examining whether the prices being paid by consumers are fully justified by prevailing market conditions.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the FCCPC said its Anticompetitive Practices Department conducted a three-month investigation, including a cross-border study of cement markets in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Algeri...