A shortage of cement at distribution points is expected to continue in Rwanda, while retail prices will remain high until regional manufacturers resume production at the end of April 2018, according to The East African.

However, a prolonged cement shortage is a distinct possibility as domestic manufacturers claim large infrastructure and real estate projects will place pressure on their capacity. The expected increase in demand and maintenance works at Cimerwa’s facility could lead to the company cutting supplies to distributors to supply the infrastructure projects.

“The maintenance of Cimerwa factory is expected to continue for the next three weeks,” said Bheki Mthembu, chief executive of Cimerwa.

Amongst the upcoming projects is the Bugesera International Airport, which is currently under construction at a cost of RWF355bn (US$418m). This project alone is estimated to consume 50,000tpa of cement.

To supply the additional demand, the country will import cement from Uganda, Tanzania and Asia. Rwanda imported 79,573t from Tanzania and 164,814t from Uganda last year, according to the Rwanda Revenue Authority.