Zimbabwe lifts cement import restrictions after Dangote visit

The government has announced an immediate lifting of restrictions on cement imports as Zimbabwe battles severe shortages that have caused prices to soar. The decision was revealed in Parliament by Minister of Skills Audit and Development Paul Mavima, who was standing in for the Leader of Government Business during a debate on the ongoing cement supply crisis.

This development takes place a week after Cement magnet Aliko Dangote visited Zimbabwe.

Mavima told lawmakers that Cabinet met on Tuesday and resolved to open up the importation of cement to curb escalating prices and stabilise the market. He noted that the cost of a 50kg bag of cement has jumped to around US$20, up from about US$12 in August, almost doubling within two months.

According to Mavima, the spike in demand has been driven partly by a boom in the construction sector, including residential developments and large structural projects nationwide. This surge, combined with production challenges, has resulted in supply failing to keep pace.

Mavima said the Cabinet had therefore decided to allow cement imports with immediate effect to ease shortages and restore normal market conditions.

Zimbabwe traditionally imports a portion of its cement from neighbouring Zambia, but supplies have dwindled sharply in recent weeks. Several major importers have reportedly exhausted their allocated quotas at a time when domestic demand is at its peak, tightening external supply channels.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raji Modi told the National Assembly that even importers with valid licences were experiencing significant delays at border posts. He said backlogs at entry points were causing severe delays in clearing imported cement, further worsening the crisis.

Modi also cited ongoing domestic production constraints. Local manufacturers have been grappling with shortages of clinker, the key ingredient in cement production, as well as mechanical breakdowns at several plants. Power supply inconsistencies and ageing equipment have compounded the challenges.

Although Zimbabwe's cement industry has an installed annual capacity of around 2.6 million tonnes, production has been inconsistent due to these operational setbacks.

The country's main producers include Khayah Cement in Harare, formerly Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe, PPC Zimbabwe, which operates in both Harare and Bulawayo, and Sino-Zimbabwe Cement in Gweru. Another major player is Livetouch Cement, the Chinese-owned company located in Redcliff near Kwekwe.

The government hopes that opening up cement imports will stabilise supply, help normalise prices, and support the rapidly expanding construction sector.