Increasing cement demand in East Africa is increasing equipment supply to the region especially from Germany and China. Demand is being fuelled by booming construction activities in the region, a recent Africa cement industry analysis by Ecobank has revealed.
East Africa’s installed cement capacity is currently estimated at 15.6 million tonnes, with 8.6 million tonnes produced in Kenya. Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have 4.9, 1.95 and 0.15 million tonnes of cement capacity respectively.
According to the report the region’s clinker capacity is estimated to be 5.98 million tonnes, including Kenya’s 3.18 million tonnes. Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have an estimated 1.87, 0.86 and 0.07 million tonnes of clinker capacity respectively.
East Africa’s investment in the cement industry has been led by Nigeria-based Dangote Cement, which has a $452-million, 3 million tonne capacity plant in Tanzania.
CIMERWA’ Rwanda’s sole cement maker has unveiled its new $170 million plant with capacity to produce six times the current 100,000 tonnes/year.
This growth of the region’s cement industry has attracted mechanical and engineering companies from Germany and China.
“The increasing demand for cement in East Africa is fertile ground for business for German mechanical and plant engineering companies,” says Bernhard Pagenkemper, head of sales at Germany-based Haver & Boecker, which provides cement packing, storing, logistics and processing technology.
