Rwanda: Rwandan President Paul Kagame laid the foundation stone for the extension of Rwanda's largest cement-producing factory, CIMERWA, on 17 January 2013. The expansion of the factory follows a deal in December 2012 that saw South Africa's largest cement firm, PPC (Pretoria Portland Cement), acquire a 51% share of CIMERWA's equity with a buyout of US$69.4m. With PPC's investment the production capacity of the factory is expected to increase from 0.1Mt/yr to 0.6Mt/yr.
"As a fast-developing nation, there is need for more and cheaper cement," said President Kagame, speaking after the laying of the foundation stone. "With the new investor in CIMERWA we expect the factory to perform much better than it did before."
Kagame said that residents of Rusizi, where CIMERWA is located, will be among the key beneficiaries of the factory's expansion through the creation of jobs. He also announced that the government will partner with the factory to put tarmac on the road leading to the factory. The government will pay 60% and the company will pay 40% of the cost of the road improvements.