Cameroon is set to significantly increase its cement production with the addition of three new cement plants in Edea, a town in the Sanaga-Maritime department. These new plants will raise the country's total cement capacity to 12.7Mta by the end of 2025, helping to meet local demand and expand into international markets. Domestic cement demand is forecast at 6.8Mt in 2025, according to newsducamer.
The Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) economy is forecast to grow at 3.2 per cent in 2025, rising to 3.8 per cent in 2026 and 2027, claims the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). Cement demand is well supported by Cameroon's President, Paul Biya, whose vision is to launch several road rehabilitation projects in 2025, including the Bekoko-Limbe and Muntenguene-Buea sections. In addition, major projects are set to begin at Nganoundéré-Garoua, Ebowlowa-Akon II-Kribi and Mora-Kousseri roads, as well as the Yaoundé-Nsimalen urban highway and phase II of the Yaoundé-Douala highway. In 2024 the country completed 446km of paved roads and 228km of rehabilitated roads nationwide.
Moreover, as part of the Multiannual Indicative Program (MIP) between 2025-27, the European Union has announced the mobilisation of EUR91m to fund Cameroon infrastructure projects. Among the initiatives is the construction of the Ntem River Bridge between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and the expansion of the country’s rail network to Chad. Other key projects include the Kikot hydropower project.
The new plants
This demand for more cement has seen government support for the establishment of several greenfield plants. The Minister of Industry, Mines, and Technological Development, Fuh Calistus Gentry, recently visited the facilities and two nearby quarries. All three Édéa cement production units are being built by Chinese investors.
The first plant, Sino Africaine (Sinafcim), is currently under construction and will have a capacity of 1Mta. It employs 200 workers, with 90 per cent of them being Cameroonian. The first batch of cement is expected to be produced in April 2025, reports Ecomatin. This plant is situated in Eboka, in the coastal region.
The second plant, Central Africa Cement (CAC), has been operating for several months and has a production capacity of 1.5Mta. It currently employs 100 people, with a plan to reach 200 workers.
Meanwhile, the 1.8Mta Yousheng Cement works, located on the banks of the Dibamba River near Douala, is still under construction and is estimated to be commissioned in December 2025, according to the Guardian Post Cameroon.
"Once all three plants are up and running, Cameroon’s cement production will rise by 4.3Mt, bringing the country’s total production to 12.7Mt by the end of 2025. This will not only cover the national demand of 8Mt, but will also position Cameroon to export cement to other countries," claims Business in Cameroon.
With these new plants, the total number of cement production units in the country will rise to nine, marking a major shift since the end of the cement monopoly held by Cimencam, a subsidiary of Lafarge Holcim Maroc Afrique (LHMA). Cimencam has dominated the market for 48 years with a production capacity of 2.3Mta. Since 2015, new players such as Dangote Cement, CIMAF, Medcem, Mira Co and Cimpor have made the market more competitive. Entreprise Générale Industrielle SA (EGIN) has increased its production capacity of Lion Cement at the Douala plant from 0.2Mta to 0.5Mta. The expansion, estimated at XAF19m (US$31,520), was funded by the Central African States Development Bank (BDEAC). Cimpor launched its Kribi calcined clay plant in August 2024. Partner Teknik of Turkey was the engineering, procuring and construction company for the project. This facility uses Polysius® activated clay technology to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70 per cent.
Meanwhile, CIMAF launched its new production line in 2024 taking its cement capacity to 1.5Mta. The new line cost XAF26bn (US$44.1m) and equalled Dangote Cement’s leading single-plant production capacity. Holcim will remain the largest player, thanks to the construction of its 0.5Mta greenfield plant in Figuil in the northern part of the country.
Local reports also speak of another new plant called Empire Cement, but the cement capacity and timeline of this new entrant are not yet known. Domestic cement production is also likely to be boosted by the opening of the National Mining Corp of Cameroon (SONAMINES), which aims to start limestone production by the end of 2026, according to General Manager, Serge Herve Boyogueno. This represents a major step in raw material supply as Cameroon relies on limestone and clinker imports for its nine cement factories.
However, despite the increase in production capacity, the price of cement remains high. In major cities such as Douala and Yaoundé, a 50kg bag of cement costs between XAF5100 and XAF5300 (US$8.42-8.76). Both producers and the government explain these high prices by the costs associated with importing clinker.