Egypt: Misr Cement will increase its reliance in alternative fuels at its Qena and Minya plants, according to Reuters. It said that it is targeting investments in alternative fuel projects of between US$7m-US$8m in the initial phase for each plant, and hopes to improve operational efficiency, environmental sustainability and reduce costs.
Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has officially changed its name to HBM Nigeria. It said that the rebranding reflected its “…evolved business vision, long-term growth objectives and renewed commitment to delivering superior value to stakeholders.” Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Group Managing Director and CEO, affirmed that the company remained committed to Nigeria. He added, “We remain focused on delivering quality cement, concrete, aggregates, and innovative building solutions that support infrastructure development, housing growth and industrialisation.”
China-based Huaxin Building Materials completed its acquisition of Lafarge Africa in mid-2025. The change of name to HBM Nigeria was approved by shareholders in April 2026.
Tajikistan: Construction work on two new 1.2Mt/yr cement plants has begun on behalf of Tajik Cement and Dushanbe Cement. The new plants are both located in Varzob District, close to the country’s capital of Dushanbe, according to Interfax. Both plants are expected to be completed by the end of 2027. China-based Sinoma is supplying the equipment, building and will be commissioning the plants. The two new plant projects follow an announcement by President Emomali Rahmon in May 2026 that the country was preparing to build a total of four new cement plants.
Nigeria: David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has asked that cement producers reduce their prices. He warned that the current cost of cement is making infrastructure projects difficult and the government is being forced to continually adjust project contracts, according to the Punch newspaper. The government is preparing to start formal engagements with cement companies from 1 July 2026 on the issue. Umahi made the comments while giving a keynote address at the rebranding of Lafarge Africa as HBM Nigeria.
In a statement Umahi said “I want to insist that Lafarge, now HBM Nigeria, and other manufacturers of cement, should reduce their prices. We shall be engaging on this from 1 July 2026. Manufacturers of cement must reduce their prices because the contractors are urging me to review their contracts. But nobody is reviewing anybody’s contract. It’s the manufacturers of cement that should review their cost.” He added that reducing cement prices would both support the delivery of infrastructure projects and benefit citizens who use cement for domestic construction projects. He also urged cement companies to increase their production capacity to support government projects.
