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Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame inaugurated the AnJia cement factory in the Muhanga industrial park on 3 August. The park is located in the Muhanga district in the Southern Province of Rwanda.

The cement plant was built by AnJia Prefabricated Construction Rwanda Company, a subsidiary of West International Holding, the African arm of West China Cement (WCC). 

President Kagame inaugurates AnJia Cement Factory in Muhanga District, built by AnJia Prefabricated Construction Rwanda Company Ltd, a subsidiary of West International Holding, the Africa arm of West China Cement (WCC), a Chinese investment group listed on the Hong Kong stock… pic.twitter.com/wVhnpdPBfj

— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) August 3, 2023

West China Cement invested US$50 million to construct the high-performance cement grinding plant, with an annual output of 1 million tonnes, said Wang Xuekun, China’s ambassador to Rwanda, at the inauguration ceremony.

“This state-of-the-art factory will contribute to Rwanda's transformation journey,” said President Kagame. He added that the growth prospects for Africa's cement industry look promising, with a rapidly growing population driving demand for housing and infrastructure.

"For manufacturers, this means more opportunities to invest in new markets and create jobs in our communities,” said the president. “Challenges remain, but they can be overcome through more cooperation.”

Speaking at the event, Zhang Jimin, chairman of West China Cement, said AnJia represents the initial cooperation between West China Cement and the Rwandan government: "We will continue to expand our investments in Rwanda, with a total investment of more than US$100 million, thereby expanding the entire supply chain.” 

The AnJia plant is expected to help Rwanda become self-reliant in cement production, with demand currently estimated at 1.2 million t/y, according to Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board. 

“With this [AnJia] factory, together with the two existing ones, Cimerwa and Prime Cement, we will have more than enough capacity,” said Akamanzi in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. But she noted that cement demand is growing in Rwanda driven by major projects such as Bugesera International airport, and new investment in housing and hotels.

Cimerwa Cement, based in Bugarama in the Western Province, and Prime Cement, in the Musanze district in the Northern Province, both have an annual production capacity of 600,000 tonnes.

Photo: AnJia cement plant (© Official Twitter account of the Office of the President of Rwanda)