Imported clinker and use of diesel engines to power cement production lines are causing cement manufacturers in Malawi to raise cement prices.

A 50kg bag of cement was selling at MKW6600 (US$9.11) a month ago, but now ranges between MKW9000- MKW10,000 (US$12.4-13.8) in Blantyre, representing a 60 per cent price increase. With cement production halted, there is little construction work taking place.

Cement manufacturers say the situation is unlikely to change until February 2018. The power industry needs heavy rainfall for Lake Malawi to fill up. With the power outages now running into the fifth month, for the third year running, and getting worse by the day, both power providers Escom and Egenco are struggling to meet even half of the demand.