Zimbabwe: The government has relaxed regulations so that more cement can be imported into Zimbabwe. This aims to address cement shortages experienced recently due to a national construction boom, according to the Herald Zimbabwe newspaper. Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Professor Paul Mavima, said that cement prices will also decline as a result.
Historically, construction activity peaks between April and November, just ahead of the country’s rainy season, but demand in 2025, driven by both home building and commercial construction, has been described as ‘incomparable’ to previous cycles by dealers.
Zimbabwe’s cement industry has an installed production capacity of about 2.6Mt/yr, although output has been inconsistent due to ageing equipment and fuel shortages. While the country primarily imports cement from neighbouring Zambia, imports have dropped sharply, squeezing external supply just as domestic need accelerated.