Demand for cement increases as construction industry flourishes

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has noted that cement manufacturers in Kenya are racing to meet rising cement demand in the wake of many infrastructure construction projects and a booming real estate industry in the country.

According to statistics from the (KNBS), the production of cement last year was 5.88m tonnes – a 16% increase on the previous year.

KNBS also said that between January and June cement produced increased to 3.04m tonnes from 2.77m when compared to 2014.

“This is normal for a fast-growing economy due to infrastructure development, increased housing demand and rapid urbanisation,” ARM Cement MD Pradeep Paunrana said.

East Africa and Kenya in particular has recorded an increased demand for cement because of the many kinds of infrastructure projects that are ongoing. These include: the Standard Gauge Railway, Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport corridor, Terminal Four at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, and real estate ventures.