Displaying items by tag: Middle East and Africa

Syria: Northern Region Cement has inaugurated the US$20m Al-Fayhaa Northern Cement plant, officiated by Saudi investment minister Khalid Al-Falih, according to Argaam news. The plant is owned by subsidiary Northern Jordan Cement and has a production capacity of 0.15Mt/yr of white cement.

Syria: Al-Badia Cement will invest over US$200m to expand its grinding and packaging lines and build a second production line, raising capacity to more than 5Mt/yr, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency. Chair of the board Imad Abdul Qader al-Muhaidib said the announcement coincided with the visit of a Saudi delegation of 130 investors, led by Saudi investment minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz al-Falih, to sign bilateral economic agreements.

Kenya: Ndovu Cement, owned by Karsan Ramji & Sons, will build a 600t/day greenfield clinker plant and a limestone quarry in Mukawa, Kajiado County, according to regulatory filings. The project has already secured approval from the National Environment Management Authority. The company said the limestone quarry will ensure a reliable supply of 900t/day of limestone.

The facility is expected to reduce reliance on imports following a 17.5% levy on clinker imports introduced in July 2023, according to the Business Daily Africa newspaper. The measure was aimed at boosting local production and creating jobs, but has since led to a drop in cement consumption due to price increases and a fall in imports. Kenya-based cement producers had reportedly opposed an attempt to increase import duty on clinker, instead requesting a grace period of four years, until 2026, to allow them to build their own clinker production facilities.

Karsan began as a quarry operator in Kitengela, Kilifi and Nakuru, before beginning cement production in 2015 and launching Ndovu Cement in June 2015.

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa reported a 70% year-on-year rise in net sales to US$176m in the second quarter of 2025, driven by higher volumes supported by improved plant stability.

Operating profit grew by 153% year-on-year in the second quarter, with first-half growth at 144%, attributed to topline growth and operational efficiencies. Profit after tax rose by 248% year-on-year to US$55m in the quarter and by 352% in the first half of 2025, strengthened by the stability of the Naira, following heavy losses due to the currency depreciating in 2024.

CEO Lolu Alade-Akinyemi said “Following our impressive first-quarter results, second-quarter performance further showcases the strength of our team, market positioning, operational efficiency, cost management and dedication to value creation. We achieved excellent financial results in the second quarter of 2025, with net sales growth of 70%, operating profit up 153%, and profit after tax up by 248% year-on-year. With this strong result, we closed the first half of 2025 with sales and operating profit growth of 75% and 144% respectively; driven by volume growth, operational excellence, innovative product offerings and our proactive market Initiatives.”

Rwanda: The government signed a 15-year industrial quarry licence agreement with cement producer Cimerwa on 17 July 2025, paving the way for a US$190m investment in a clinker plant in Musanze District, according to The New Times newspaper. The agreement aims to reduce cement imports, create jobs and support Rwanda’s infrastructure development through sustainable quarrying practices, according to a statement by the Rwanda Development Board.

Cement imports rose by 42% year-on-year to US$94m in 2024 from US$64m previously, according to data from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. On 16 July 2025, the Cabinet approved new mineral, quarry and exploration licences to boost mining in the country.

Oman: Raysut Cement reported a consolidated net loss of US$7.5m for the first half of 2025, up from US$3.9m year-on-year, despite a 31% rise in group revenue to US$108m in the six months to 30 June 2025. The increase was reportedly driven by improved sales in domestic and export markets, including Yemen, the Maldives and East Africa.

A new board, appointed in March 2025, has launched a five-point restructuring plan to restore profitability by 2026, addressing debt, streamlining operations and improving efficiency. The company continues to face regional overcapacity, currency risks and competition from Asian producers.

South Korea/Algeria: The Korea Cement Association and the Algerian Cement Industry Group (GICA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation following a delegation visit to the country, led by vice president Lee Chang-ki and Hanil Cement Dan-yang plant head Jeon Jae-cheol. Chosun Biz news reported that Algeria ‘requested for help’ from Korea, and that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy promoted the resumption of the Korea-Algeria economic Joint Committee meetings, which had been suspended since 2007.

Lee Chang-ki announced the ‘2050 Carbon Neutral Strategy for the Korean Cement Industry’, and the parties had the opportunity to visit Algerian cement plants and discuss future cooperation. The two parties agreed to form an operating committee to oversee implementation over the next two years.

Libya: The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAIP) is continuing preparations for the launch of the Misrata cement plant, with the technical committee appointed by the LAIP holding its 10th meeting, according to the Libyan Express. The committee discussed coordination with the National Oil Corporation for the supply of natural gas and heavy fuel oil to the plant and with the General Electricity Company of Libya for the supply of electricity for the plant’s operations. The committee also addressed infrastructure with the Ministry of Transport, regarding the construction of a 10km paved road from the plant to the national road network. China-based Sinoma Wuhan will be the primary contractor for the construction of the plant.

Saudi Arabia: Domestic cement despatches rose by 13% year-on-year to 3.84Mt in June 2025, falling by 18% month-on-month due to seasonality impact, according to a report by Al Jazira Capital. Clinker inventories grew by 1% month-on-month to 45Mt.

Exports reached 0.71Mt, up by 17% year-on-year. Clinker production rose by 9% year-on-year to 4.9Mt, led by Yamama Cement, which increased its output by 28% or 0.15Mt, and Riyadh Cement, up by 93% or 0.17Mt. In the first half of 2025, domestic despatches rose by 14% to 25.7Mt, compared to 22.6Mt in the first half of 2024.

Zimbabwe: The government is ‘optimistic’ that Zimbabwe will become self-sufficient in cement by early 2026, according to The Herald newspaper. The Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu toured the country’s Chegutu cement plant, currently under construction, where he was upbeat about Zimbabwe’s cement manufacturing capabilities.

Ndlovu said “This project is addressing critical cement shortages that we are experiencing, leading to imports from neighbouring countries. We are happy that by the beginning of 2026, this plant will start producing cement, meaning that more than likely there will be no need to import.”

The plant is owned by China-based Shuntal Investment, and administration manager Yan Bo confirmed it had invested US$70m in the project. The plant will produce 0.8Mt/yr of cement. The project currently employs 300 local people, with total employment across Shuntal’s Zimbabwe operations expected to reach 4000.