Rwanda is currently undergoing a shortage in cement supply which has resulted in the surge of prices. This was after the main industry stakeholders confirmed the price rise that the local construction sector has been encountering since March this year.
The decline in cement supply has since resulted in increased prices which have negatively affected some construction projects in the country.
Cimerwa Cement Limited, the only integrated cement manufacturer in Rwanda with a capacity of 600,000 tonnes annually, has blamed the drop in cement supply to the temporary shutdown of its plant in Bugarama, Rusizi District for maintenance and upgrade purposes. The price of a bag of cement from Cimerwa grew by 49 percent in some areas. Nevertheless, supply will restart in a few weeks time.
Cimerwa Cement is involved in mining raw materials, producing clinker concentrate, packing and selling cement for civil and general construction, and exporting to neighbouring countries in Burundi and DRC.
The price for cement imports has also increased where Hima and Tororo Cement from Uganda are going at $17 per bag compared to $10 per bag before the shortage in supply hit the market.
The cement manufacturer invested $170 million in a modern dry process production plant at Bugarama which increased its capacity to 600,000 tons annually.
