Niger's Malbaza Ciment Co has begun operation at its new 0.65Mta plant, which produced its first tonne of cement on 28 December 2018.

"The Ministry of Industry is pleased to inform the nation that Malbaza Ciment Campany (MCC SA), formerly SNC Nigerien cement company, has started operation of its new cement plant, thus becoming the first private industrial complex in Niger," said Malam Zaneidou Amirou, the country’s minister for industry.

Malbaza Ciment is expected to supply 80 per cent of the domestic market, therefore reducing the need for imports.

"The transition to the operational phase of this industrial plant was made possible thanks to the efforts of the authorities of the 7th Republic, and those of the Nigerien investors who have met all the financial, technological and human challenges inherent in such a project," stated Mr Amirou.