The Tanga Cement Company Limited (TCCL) has announced plans to raise output to 1.2Mt once the new kiln line is operational at its plant in northeastern Tanzania, East African Business Week reports.

Construction of the new kiln is to begin shortly and will raise capacity at the Tanga plant from its current level of 0.5Mta. Grinding capacity is already thought to be 1.2Mta, meaning that the plant has had to rely on clinker imports in the past.

Speaking at its annual general meeting, Chairman, Lawrence Masha, said: "We expect that by completion, the kiln that will cost some US$165m will help the company in saving the colossal amount of money spent in the importation of clinker."

"The sales volume increase marks a significant milestone for TCCL. For the first time the firm has sold more than one million metric tons of cement in a single year", he added.