Key facts
- Africa accounts for 42% of global new cement production capacity under construction.
- African nations have announced plans for an additional 23 million tons of cement capacity.
- Nigeria is building 10 million tons of new cement capacity, ranking second globally.
- Dangote Cement Plc is undertaking a $1 billion expansion strategy.
- BUA Cement is investing $1.05 billion in three new plants.
- Sub-Saharan Africa's installed cement capacity is projected to double.
Africa is experiencing a significant boom in cement plant construction, positioning the continent to lead global growth in production capacity. This expansion is driven by rapid urbanization and substantial infrastructure development across various nations.
Across the continent, 16 African countries are building new cement kilns. Data from the Global Energy Monitor indicates that African nations now represent 42% of all cement production capacity currently under construction globally. Currently, Africa has an operational annual cement production capacity of approximately 441 million metric tons, which is 8% of the world's total. With 43.3 million tons under construction and plans for an additional 23 million tons, the total capacity is expected to exceed 507 million tons, making up 15% of the global total.
Nigeria is at the forefront of this expansion, with 10 million tons of capacity under construction, placing it second globally behind India. Dangote Cement Plc, Africa's largest cement manufacturer, is implementing a $1 billion strategy to expand its market dominance across the continent and is upgrading export terminals in Lagos. BUA Cement is also increasing its capacity through a $1.05 billion investment, aiming for an 80-million-metric-ton national capacity by 2030 with the construction of three new plants.
Other countries are also seeing major developments. In Cameroon, Taiwan Cement Corporation's subsidiary CIMPOR recently finished a 1.2 million-ton plant. Heidelberg Materials is building a large flash calciner in Ghana. Kenya's cement industry is consolidating, with the Devki Group investing $385 million in a new clinker facility and planning another plant, while Cemtech Ltd is constructing a $348 million clinker plant in West Pokot.
Libya, Angola, Uganda, Mali, and Mozambique have ambitious cement construction roadmaps. Overall, installed capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double from 280 million metric tons to over 500 million metric tons.
This surge in cement production is expected to trigger a substantial increase in energy demand. Cement consumption typically rises with industrialization, as countries build housing, roads, ports, and factories, which in turn supports more energy-intensive sectors like steel, chemicals, and manufacturing. Africa is already investing in mineral processing, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure such as data centers, all requiring reliable electricity.
The International Energy Agency forecasts that Africa's electricity demand will grow by 10.1%, from 799 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 880 terawatt-hours in 2027, driven by industrial activity and data centers. The addition of numerous new cement plants, many in regions already facing power supply challenges, will further amplify this demand.
Cement companies require vast amounts of reliable power, creating an incentive for them to generate their own electricity. Power costs are a critical factor for competitiveness. For instance, Pakistan's Bestway Cement has installed solar farms at its plants to reduce reliance on the national grid, with its Chakwal plant utilizing 26 MW of solar capacity.