Ciments du Sahel invests EUR250m in new Benin plant

Ciments du Sahel of Senegal is investing EUR250m in a new 2.5Mta cement plant in Benin as the cement producer aims to extend its African reach.

Output from the new works, which is expected to open in June 2013, will primarily serve the markets of Benin and nearby countries. Providing permission is granted, volumes will also be exported to "the sub-region,” according to Michel Layousse, deputy director general, Ciments du Sahel. The project will create jobs for around 600 people, both in the short- and long term.

Overcapacity in the Senegalese market is expected aggravate, particularly after the announced arrival of the Dangote Group. For Ciments du Sahel, which already exports about half of its output (2.1Mta in 2011), exports and new plants outside of Senegal’s borders seem the natural next move. The company also considered other locations such as Chad, Angola and Guinea.