Tanga Cement Company Ltd (TCC) is expected to start construction of the second kiln in the third quarter of this year.

The second kiln will enable the cement factory to produce enough clinker to supply all of its own requirements and dispense with imports, the company said in unaudited results for the six months to 30 June 2012 being released to East African Business Week last week in Dar es Salaam

"The East African market is experiencing rapid economic development as a result of infrastructure improvements and housing needs and this will give the company a significant competitive advantage," the firm's unaudited report said.

According to the cement producer, the project will cost an estimated US$165m with commissioning in the first quarter of 2015.

"Once completed, the second kiln will increase the company's clinker production capacity by 600,000tpa, more than doubling current capacity," the company said.

TCC increased its cement production capacity in 2010 by commissioning a second cement mill, expanding capacity from 750,000tpa to more than 1.2Mta.