Khaya Cement production resumes

Cement production has resumed at Khaya Cement, a development expected to relieve Zimbabwe's ongoing shortage of the building material. Corporate rescue practitioner Bulisa Mbano confirmed to journalists that a major plant, which had been non-operational, has been repaired and is now fully running.

Zimbabwe has been facing a severe cement shortage, with prices surging from around US$9 per bag to US$16 and above at some dealers. Mbano explained that the kiln, a key component in cement production that processes clinker, is now operational. "Our plant, kiln, was down and it is now up and running. Kiln takes what we call clinker, one of the major ingredients in cement production," he said.

Khaya Cement, formerly Lafarge, is under corporate rescue after its operations were disrupted by Western economic sanctions. With the plant now operational, the company expects to inject 50,000 tonnes of cement into the market each month, producing over 1,000 tonnes daily.

Mbano highlighted that a US$20 million investment into the system has been completed, and all creditors have been settled, allowing the company to focus on growth. "We are back to full production and that is refreshing," he said.

Khaya Cement has partnered with BancABC to secure financial resources to boost production further, signalling a renewed capacity to meet domestic demand and stabilise the local construction market.