China to build largest cement factory in East Africa

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China is expected to construct the largest cement factory in East Africa to meet cement demand in the region. The cement factory will be constructed in the northeastern coastal city of Tanga in Tanzania.

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The projected plant is estimated to be the giant in east and central Africa.
“The Chinese investors’ move is recommendable as it intended to meet nation’s cement demand as well as making the products is accessible at a comparative low price,” said Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.

He made the comments when he met with representatives of Sinoma and Hengya Cement (T) Ltd, Tanga Regional Commissioner, Martin Shigella and officials from the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC).

The largest cement factory in East Africa, which will be constructed along the Indian Ocean coastline in Tanga, will offer lots of opportunities as it’s in line with the Uganda-Tanga crude oil pipeline construction.

According to Majaliwa, construction of cement plant will act as a catalyst to Tanzania’s industrialization strategy as well as hasten up nation’s socioeconomic development.

President of Sinoma Company Peng Jianxin said that the investment will be executed in two stages, whereby in the primary phase around U.S. 1 billion dollars will be exhausted.

He said that almost immediately after production of cement, 70 percent of the product will be exported and 30 percent will be for local market.

“We’ll be using the Indian Ocean to sell abroad the produced cement to Somalia, Kenya and Mozambique. We’re also scheduling to export it to Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda,” the Chinese investor said.

The proposed plant is estimated to begin in May and construction of their wharf will begin during the same time so that the produced cement can be hauled directly from the factory.

Tanzania produces approximately seven-million tons of cement a year, with demand seen mounting at close to 10% per annum, according to government approximation.

Cement consumption is seen as a gauge of construction activity, one of the main drivers of economic growth in the state.