Spain: The Spanish cement association, Oficemen, recorded total national cement consumption of 7.54Mt throughout the first half of 2023. This corresponds to a 0.3% year-on-year rise from first-half 2022 levels. Meanwhile, first-half exports fell by 2.3% year-on-year to 2.84Mt.

The Cinco Días newspaper has reported that Oficemen general director Aniceto Zaragoza said “The first half of 2023 has closed with zero growth, in line with our forecasts at the beginning of the year. The confluence of three elections, which will end with the general elections on 23 July 2023, is an unusual circumstance, which has affected not only investments in public works but also at the business level." Zaragoza added that construction decision-making had 'already slowed down by itself due to the current international situation.'

Ghana: Dangote Cement says that it has finished building a new grinding plant in Ghana. Tech Economy News has reported that the new facility has a capacity of 400,000t/yr.

Dangote Cement already operates the Tema cement terminal in Accra. Local press previously reported that Dangote Cement imported 1.5Mt of cement into Ghana in 2022.

Kenya: The government says that it has found a 'strategic investor' to buy a 30% stake in East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC). Business Daily News has reported that the buyer will acquire shares from the National Treasury, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Lafarge South Africa. The government holds 25% of EAPCC's shares through the Treasury, while the NSSF holds 27% and Lafarge South Africa 42%.

Lafarge South Africa denied that it plans to sell any of its shares in EAPCC. Chief executive officer Geoffrey Ndugwa said "We are not aware that we will be ceding shares.”

The government said that shareholders currently face the decision to sell EAPCC's land, seek a bailout from the Treasury or liquidate the company. It expects shareholders to reach a decision and establish a comprehensive plan for the company by 17 August 2023.

Oman: Raysut Cement reported a net loss of US$4.52m during the first half of 2023. This corresponds to a drop of 67% year-on-year from US$13.8m in the previous first half. The Oman Daily Observer newspaper has reported that the producer attributed the loss reduction to its implementation of operational efficiency and cost reduction measures, as well as growth in sales volumes, during the latest half.