Malawi: Huaxin Building Materials Group and its subsidiary Portland Cement Malawi have commissioned a US$100m integrated cement plant in Balaka, 215km south of the capital Lilongwe. The factory is expected to produce 800,000t/yr of cement and reduce Malawi’s dependence on imported clinker and cement. Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha, who attended the inauguration ceremony, said the project aligns with the Malawi 2063 Agenda by supporting infrastructure and economic resilience.
Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Lu Xu said “The plant helps to address the current challenges by saving US$50m in foreign exchange expenditure annually, and generate US$15m in foreign exchange income.” She added that it is the largest manufacturing investment by a Chinese firm in Malawi and will create jobs, boost economic output and strengthen local industrial chains.