Rwanda’s sole cement producer, Cimerwa, plans to increase its production capacity to 600,000 tonnes annually when ongoing expansion works are completed early next year, Busi Legodi, the Cimerwa chief executive officer, has said.

Legodi said over 94 per cent of the $170 million (about Rwf117 billion) works have already been completed, with electrical installations and some minimal mechanical works remaining.

"The plant should be ready by the end of the first quarter next year…once completed, our production capacity will increase from the current 100,000 tonnes of cement per year to 600,000 tonnes,” Legodi noted.

Market demand for cement currently stands at about 500,000 tonnes of cement per year, and the country depends mostly on imports.

Meanwhile, Cimera has rebranded its corporate identity as it marks 30 years of existence.

According to Sam Kasule, the Cimerwa commercial manager, the new corporate identity reflects the direction the firm is headed.

"Our new corporate identity is significant and suits the company’s future plans and business focus as we look to expand our production capacity in coming months. We are also looking at growing our external markets in DR Congo and Burundi satisfactorily,” Kasule said.

He noted that the firm will also deepen its corporate social investment programmes, thanks to partnership with its strategic investor Pretoria Portland Cement Company (PPC Cement) of South Africa to deliver technical expertise and ensure sustainable production and meet market demand.