Burundi Cement Co doubles production, eyes capacity expansion

Burundi Cement Co (BUCECO), the central African country’s sole supplier, has doubled production and profits in its first two years of operation and is considering doubling capacity, the company has said in a statement.

BUCECO, which began production in January 2011 produced 70,500t of cement in 2012 compared to 34,500t the year before. Profits have risen from BIF12.9m (US$10m) in 2011 to BIF31.4m (US$22m) last year.

The company’s founder and owner Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa said that the factory is providing a country with significant infrastructure needs: "Clearly, this country has great demand for high-quality, affordable cement and we are delighted that BUCECO can help meet the need."

Prior to the opening of the BUCECO factory, Burundi imported all of its cement from other East African countries including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The average price of a 50kg bag of BUCECO cement costs US$16, about US$1 less than the imported product. The plant’s current capacity is 100,000t and BUCECO is already eyeing an expansion to double that capacity, according to the statement.