Lafarge Zambia will begin work on a EUR200m expansion project in the second half of this year, Emmanuel Rigaux, chief executive of the Lafarge unit, said last week. The work will double Lafarge Zambia’s existing capacity, adding 1Mta.

The company is proceeding with the project despite Dangote Cement due to launch its own 1.5Mta plant in Zambia. However, Mr Rigaux told the Cape Times that demand from neighbouring DR of Congo would help absorb the additional volumes. "The growth there is massive, in fact it's even higher than in Zambia,” he noted.