Production of cement in the region could be boosted following efforts by the East African Community partner states to harmonise cement and limestone standards.
Producers said lack of uniformity of standards governing the industry affects competitiveness and intra-regional trade, especially cement exports.
Fidelis Sakwa, representing the EAC cement producers’ association, said: “While it’s a norm worldwide for cement standards to be reviewed every five years, this has not happened in the East Africa region since 2001. Therefore, it’s imperative to have them reviewed and also harmonised.”
The first East Africa Community technical committee on harmonisation of standards workshop, organised by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), attracted over 100 standards experts, engineers and policymakers.
Eng. Vivien Munyaburanga, the chairperson of the EAC technical committee on standards of cement and limestone, said the EAC initiative is in line with the common market protocol which liberalises movement of goods, labour and services across the region.
Eric Gisore, the productions manager of Cimerwa, said the move will help enhance Rwanda’s cement exports.
