Ethiopia bans cement import

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopia banned importation of cement as the volume being produced in the country is enough to meet local demand, according to the Ministry of Trade.

Ministry Corporate Communication Directorate Director, Melaku Taye, told WIC the import-banning measure was taken since the existing and the newly built factories managed to inject over 10.1 million tonnes to the market, which is sufficient to fulfill local demand.

He said some five factories have begun cement production during the past six months alone, thereby contributing a lot for the increase in cement production at a national level.

He said Derba MIDROC Cement Plc, Mugher Cement Enterprise, East Cement, Capital Cement and Enchini Medrock Cement factories are the five plants that began production in the reported period and contributed a lot for the halt of importation.

According to Melaku, Derba produces 2.3 million tonnes, Mugher 1.4 million tonnes, East 750,000 tonnes, Capital 450,000 tonnes and Enchini 300,000 tonnes of cement annually.

Currently, there are 18 cement factories which produce 12.46 million tonnes of cement annually. The National Cement new project, CH Clinker, Ture, Dire Dawa and Ethio-Cement factories are expected to fully launch production this Ethiopian budget year.

The government of Ethiopia is endeavoring to attain the five-year cement production target, which envisions raising the national cement production capacity to 27 million tonnes per year.