Cement News tagged under: East Africa

RSS feed

National Cement to boost production and build new plant

09 September 2020, Published under Cement News

Ethiopia’s National Cement (East African Holdings) is currently conducting a study at its plant in Dire Dawa to boost its 3000tpd capacity by 30 per cent. "We are planning to start implementing this plan and start producing 4000t of cement per day within the coming six months," said Buzuayehu Tadele Bizenu, board chairman of East African Holdings. Last year, the company produced over 1.2Mt of cement with most of the cement products sold in the domestic market. East Africa Holdings i...

Gypsum availability and dollar prices impact Dangote Zambia's production costs

09 September 2020, Published under Cement News

Dangote Cement Zambia Ltd (DCZL) says the closure of Chambeshi Metals has deprived the company gypsum for cement manufacture. DCZL CFO, Bright Tembo, also said the depreciation of the kwacha has impacted on costs of imported materials. "The closure of Chambeshi Metals has deprived DCZL of a reasonably priced Gypsum…We have local suppliers who are quoting in dollars and demanding payment in dollars. The depreciation of the kwacha has severely impacted on our costs of imported raw materials,"...

Ethiopia invites private sector to address cement shortage

03 September 2020, Published under Cement News

To end the chronic shortage of cement in the market, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has prepared a new guideline to introduce the private sector to the supply chain. The measure went into effect from 31 August 2020. State Minister of Trade and Industry, Eshete Asfaw, said the guidelines are mainly prepared to sustain the supply chain and allow the private sector to take part in cement supply in the country. Previously the Ministry had decided that only governmental organisatio...

EAPC restructuring enters final phase

03 September 2020, Published under Cement News

The restructuring of East African Portland Cement Co (EAPC)’s human resources in Kenya is entering its final phase with 270 employees seeing their permanent contracts converted to contract terms. Speaking during a consultative meeting with the permanent staff, the acting MD, Stephen Nthei, said the strategic objective is to reduce administrative costs as outlined in the turnaround strategy adopted by the board and to comply with regulations outlined by the State Corporations Advisory Commit...

Bamburi Cement sees surge in profit before tax

28 August 2020, Published under Cement News

Kenya’s Bamburi Cement has announced a 15 per cent YoY decline in turnover to KES16.23bn (US$150m) for the first half of 2020, against KES18.66bn in the 1H19. However, the company saw a surge in profit before tax to KES213m from KES23m in January-June 2019.

Cement prices rise in Malawi

27 August 2020, Published under Cement News

Cement prices in Malawi have reportedly increased by 33 per cent in the past two weeks to MWK8000 (US$10.79) per 50kg bag, with the hike attributed to a shortage, according to The Business Times (Malawi). Cement Products Ltd (CPL) has condemned traders for raising the prices saying the wholesale price has not changed. Meanwhile, the country’s Ministry of Trade has reported that the increase is due to a rise in the price of imported cement from Zambia. "We are in talks with the local ma...

Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe ordered to shut plant by EMA

18 August 2020, Published under Cement News

The Environmental Management Agency ordered Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe (LafargeHolcim group) to close its 0.45Mta Manresa plant last week, because of abnormal dust discharges. Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe said it experienced an unexpected surge in dust emissions during a trial of alternative fuel in the plant between July 30 and 1 August, adding that immediate action was taken to control and contain the emissions and the incident was reported to EMA in line with regulatory requirements. It is under...

Twiga Cement to increase cement capacity in Tanzania

14 August 2020, Published under Cement News

Twiga Cement's Head of Commercial Cluster East, South and Central Africa, Yves Mataigne, says the company will invest TZS34bn (US$14.6m) this year and TZS33bn (US$14.1m) in 2021 to support Tanzania's drive for infrastructure projects. "Implementation of the mega projects has made us rethink about our production capacity as we see an opportunity for growth," Mr Mataigne said. Twiga Cement (HeidelbergCement group) has invested TZS105bn over the last five years in modernising its operatio...

Dangote to test US$90 power plant for Mtwara cement factory

11 August 2020, Published under Cement News

Dangote Cement will test run a new US$90m gas-fired power plant in Mtwara, Tanzania, later this month. The plant has been delayed with the outbreak of COVID-19, but it will supply the Mtwara cement plant and reduce Dangote Cement's reliance on coal imports. The new power plant is due to be fully commissioned in November. The Mtwara plant has not operated at full capacity during 2020, but the new power plant should help energy efficiencies. "We have had mechanical failures of some main equ...

East African Portland Cement meets distributors amidst falling demand

10 August 2020, Published under Cement News

The East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) of Kenya is enhancing dealer and distributor incentives to push cement sales during the pandemic. CEO, Stephen Nthei, met with distributors in a tour of Nyandarau county to set a strategy and look to understand the challenges facing distributors and customers. "COVID-19 has had quite an impact in sales of cement. But we are seeing a bounce back as businesses start requesting for orders," Nthei said. "Dealers and distributors will get more in...