A 600,000 tonne capacity Cimerwa Cement plant has been inaugurated in Rwanda at the cost of US$170mn
The plant has been built in the Muganza sector of the Rusizi district in western Rwanda.
With the current cement demand being 450,000 tonnes annually, the new plant is expected to cater to the growing demand. Surplus will be exported to neighbouring countries such as Burundi and DR Congo. Officials expect the plant to generate jobs as well as boost exports.
In addition, reduced cement prices are also expected to boost the construction and real estate sector. “Cost of construction is high due to high prices of raw materials such as cement. The new cement plant offers affordability propelling growth in construction,” observed Rwandan prime minister Anastase Murekezi.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) has indicated that the construction sector contributed US$150mn in Q1 2015, compared to US$146mn in the same period during the previous year. Real estate injected US$125mn in 2015, up from US$114mn the previous year, highlighting the impact cheaper cement will have on the sector.
Mwangi Mumero
