The newly built cement plant, Dangote Cement, which owned by the Dangote Group, will be fully operational after a month.
Dangote Cement’s involvement in Ethiopia in the Oromia regional state, about 85 km west of Addis Ababa, will enable the nation meet increased demand for cement created due to huge infrastructure developments.
The Dangote Cement undertaken with 400 million dollars with annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons makes it the biggest cement plant in East Africa.
Ethiopia which has been engaged on huge investments in infrastructure such as roads, dams, bridges and railways, was forced to import cement to address shortages.
Currently, cement demand in Ethiopia is estimated to be around 7 to 8 million tons per annum, while production stands at 5.4 million tons.
Up on fully operational after a month, the Dangote Cement is expected to raise the country’s cement production t 8 million tons per annum.
Minister of Mines, Tolosa Shagi said expansion of existing cement factories and the newly built plant will enable Ethiopia meet local demands.
The Minister who visited the plant today said a number of companies are attracted to cement investment following changes in the mining policy.
[ENA]