Morocco's Cimaf to Triple Cement Production Capacity in Cameroon by March 2024

Ciments de l’Afrique (Cimaf), the Cameroonian subsidiary of the Moroccan group Omnium des industries et de la promotion (OIP), is set to significantly expand its operations in Cameroon. Initially scheduled for the last quarter of 2023, the launch of Cimaf's new production line has been postponed to the end of March 2024. This strategic move will enhance the company's annual cement production capacity in the country to 1.5 million tons, marking a significant increase aimed at extending its market reach within Cameroon and to neighboring countries like the Central African Republic.

This expansion is expected to have a substantial socioeconomic impact, generating over 450 direct and indirect employment opportunities. The project, valued at CFA26 billion, benefits from Cameroon's 2013 investment incentive law (revised in 2017), which offers various tax and customs exemptions to investors for up to 10 years. A significant agreement under this law was signed in February 2022 between Cimaf shareholders and Cameroon's Investment Promotion Agency (API), reinforcing the company's commitment to the Cameroonian market.

Upon achieving a production capacity of 1.5 million tons, Cimaf will position itself as a leading cement producer in Cameroon, alongside Dangote Cement. This development comes as the cement industry in Cameroon has seen increased capacities since 2015, challenging nearly 50 years of Lafarge's monopoly. Despite these advancements, the cost of cement in Cameroon remains high due to the importation of clinker, a situation both the government and producers are keen to address.

Source: Business in Cameroon