Nouvelle Cimenterie de Niger (NCN) is expected to enter operation soon and some 85 per cent of the construction work has been carried out, according to local news reports. The unit, which has been under construction since 2001 represents an investment of XOF48bn (US$133.3m) and recently played host to the country’s Minister of Industry, Mallam Zaneidou Amirou.

The 0.54Mta works, located on a 350,000m2 plot in Ader will enable to carry out large infrastructure project with domestic cement as well as turn Niger into a cement-exporting country.

Cement demand in Niger is expected to touch the 0.6Mt mark this year, with supply split between 0.25Mt of domestic cement and 0.43Mt imported cement.