PPC’s Rwandan unit expects to raise output by a quarter next year to cater for increasing demand as growth in the East African nation accelerates, the company’s commercial director Samuel Kasule said.
Production at Cimerwa’s factory in Ruzizi in southwestern Rwanda will increase to 50 000 metric tons by the end of December, from 40 000 tons now, after an expansion programme the company began in 2013 is completed.
“We are finalising the commission stage,” Kasule said. “The plant is at a range of 70% of planned production, and we are in a ramping-up phase.”
Cement demand in Rwanda is currently about 500 000 tons a year and if the economy grows as expected, the company will need to expand the plant further. The IMF expects growth in Rwanda to accelerate to 7% next year from 6.5 this year.
Cimerwa is considering listing on the Rwandan stock market, where three companies already trade, Kasule said.
PPC owns 51% of Cimerwa.
