Kenya: Profits at Bamburi Cement rose by 12% in 2011 backed by stronger revenues from the domestic market and its newly-expanded Ugandan subsidiary. The company earned a pre-tax profit of US$102m in 2011 compared to US$91m in 2010. The group's turnover increased by 28% to US$433m in 2011 from US$338m in 2010. Given pricing pressure in Kenya, Bamburi's main market, the better than expected revenue growth was mainly supported by increased volume sales from the company's Ugandan subsidiary, which was expanded in the last quarter of 2010.
"2011 was characterised by stable domestic prices and better export prices, due to the appreciation of the US dollar,"said Hussein Mansi, Bamburi's managing director. However, the company, like many others worldwide, suffered from a jump in power costs. For this reason, the company is still cautious regarding the local and global macroeconomic environment for 2012. "The uncertain political environment in Kenya continues to make visibility difficult," said Mansi.
