Cameroon plans to increase its cement production to 12.7 million tons by 2025 with three new plants in Édéa. The initiative will help fulfill local demand and enable exports. Despite increased production capabilities, cement prices in major cities remain high due to clinker import costs.
Cameroon is poised to enhance its cement production significantly, anticipating the addition of three new cement plants in Édéa, located within the Sanaga-Maritime department. By the conclusion of 2025, this initiative aims to escalate the national production capacity to 12.7 million tons, effectively addressing local demand while facilitating expansion into international markets.
The Minister of Industry, Mines, and Technological Development, Fuh Calistus Gentry, recently conducted an inspection of these plants and adjacent quarries. All three cement plants are being developed by Chinese investors in Édéa, which serves as the administrative capital of the department.
The first plant, Sino Africaine (Sinafcim), currently under construction, will yield an annual capacity of 1 million tons and has engaged 200 workers, with 90% being Cameroonian nationals. The inaugural batch of cement production is scheduled for April 2025.
Next, Central Africa Cement (CAC) has commenced operations with a production capacity of 1.5 million tons per year and a workforce of 100 employees, with an ambition to increase this number to 200. Furthermore, the third facility, Yousheng Cement, located along the Dibamba River near Douala, is also under construction and is expected to achieve a production capacity of 1.8 million tons annually.
Upon the completion of all three plants, Cameroon’s overall cement production is projected to increase by an additional 4.3 million tons, raising the national total to 12.7 million tons by late 2025. This bolstered capacity is expected to satisfy the domestic demand of 8 million tons and pave the way for cement exports to surrounding countries.
The advancement witnessed in Cameroon’s cement sector is noteworthy. The establishment of these plants will elevate the total number of cement production units in the country to nine, signifying a major transformation following the end of the cement monopoly held by Cimencam, a subsidiary of Lafarge Holcim Maroc Afrique (LHMA), which maintained dominance for 48 years with a capacity of 2.3 million tons. Since 2015, various new competitors such as Dangote Cement, Cimaf, Medcem, Mira Company, and Cimpor have entered the market, enriching competition.
Despite these enhancements in production abilities, the price of cement remains elevated. In prominent urban areas such as Douala and Yaoundé, the cost for a 50 kg bag of cement fluctuates between 5,100 and 5,300 FCFA. Both producers and the government attribute these high prices to the expenses related to importing clinker, a vital component in cement manufacturing.
In summary, Cameroon is set to improve its cement production drastically with the establishment of three new plants, increasing its capacity to 12.7 million tons by 2025. This will not only satisfy local demand but also enable exports to other nations. The introduction of competition in the sector is noteworthy, yet high cement prices due to clinker import costs remain a concern for consumers.
Original Source: www.businessincameroon.com
