Global cement maker to set up plant in Tanzania

The world’s leading cement manufacturer, CRH Plc, which has no presence in Africa, now plans to establish its cement and building materials manufacturing plant in Tanzania, a move that might prove a game changer industry in the country.Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) Communications manager Pendo Gondwe says the firm is headquartered in Ireland its business network spans 32 countries serving all segments of the construction industry.

“CRH subsidiary companies employ over 85,000 people in around 3,600 locations around the world and generated sales of euros €27.6 billion in 2017, according to details available on the company’s website,” she explained.

Interestingly, the company has yet to establish its base in Africa. They chose Tanzania as a high priority for investment.She added “We are yet to allocate them land where the factory will be built. We are working on it and we will provide further details to the media when we are done with the analysis,” she said.

Geoffrey Mwambe, TIC executive director, assured the representatives of the manufacturer of his office’s support and commitment to cooperate with the Irish investors with a view to making the project successful, confirmed Ms Gondwe.At the same occasion, TIC boss revealed that Tanzania has many investment projects on the pipeline and these would require cement for construction, hence making the country an attractive capital destination.

Currently, Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with operations in 10 countries including Tanzania, with production capacity of 45.8 million tonnes per annum.Demand for cement is high due to the ever expanding needs for housing units to cater for a rising population and implementation of the major infrastructure projects under President John Magufuli’s government.