Cimerwa Cement Limited
Cimerwa Cement Limited (CCL) is a manufacturer of cement in Rwanda with capacity of approximately 600,000 tones per year.[2]
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacture of Construction Materials |
| Founded | January 1, 1982 |
| Headquarters | Bugarama, Rwanda |
Key people | Gatera Jonathan Chairman Albert Kipkemoi Sigei Executive Director[1] |
| Products | Cement |
| Website | Homepage |
Location
The main factory of the company is located in Muganza Sector, in the town of Bugarama, in Rusizi District, in the Western Province of Rwanda.[3] This location is approximately 36 kilometres (22 mi), by road, south-east of the city of Cyangugu, the largest urban center in Rusizi District, and the location of the district headquarters.[4] The coordinates of the main factory of Cimerwa are: 02°36'25.0"S, 29°01'03.0"E (Latitude:-2.606944; Longitude:29.017500).[5] The company also maintains offices in the city of Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda.[3]
Overview
The installed factory capacity is 600,000 metric tonnes annually. Prior to 2018, the factory was performing at under 60 percent capacity (approximately 350,000 metric tonnes annually).[2] In 2018, the factory was upgraded and increased its performance to approximately 74 percent of installed capacity (approximately 441,223 metric tonnes annually).[6] The upgrade cost US$3.3 million, and lasted 26 days.[7]
Prior to the 2018 upgrade, Cimerwa could produce 27,000 metric tonnes monthly, or approximately 54 percent of the 50,000 metric tonnes needed monthly to satisfy Rwanda's cement needs.[8] With production of an expected 441,223 metric tonnes after the upgrade, it is expected cement importation into Rwanda will reduce.[6]
The factory uses imported coal from Malawi and Tanzania, to fuel its kilns.[7]
History
The company was established in 1982, with capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes annually. It was managed by a Chinese company, CBMC, under a "build-own-operate-transfer" model. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, plant operations were suspended and 53 employees died. In 2001, plant capacity was increased to 100,000 metric tonnes annually.[9]
In 2006, Cimerwa was privatized under the Rwanda Investment Group. Ownership transferred to several Rwanda-based institutions. PPC Limited acquired a 51 percent ownership in Cimerwa, for US$69.4 million in 2013. In 2015, the company assumed a new corporate identity to reflect the new ownership.[9]
Products
As of May 2020, CIMERWA produces four types of portland cement; namely 1. SUREBUILD, a 42.5N premium cement meant for heavy construction projects 2. SURECEM, a 32.5N all-purpose cement ideal for concrete, mortar, plaster and brick joinery 3. SUREROAD, another 32.5N product, is a custom-made cement meant for road construction and 4. SUREWALL, is a 22.5X masonry cement specifically designed for plastering and brick joinery.[1]
Ownership
Cimerwa Cement Limited operates as a 51 percent subsidiary of Pretoria Portland Cement Company (PPC Limited), a South African cement-manufacturing conglomerate, whose shares of stock are traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.[10] The table below illustrates the shareholding in the company, as of June 2019.[11] As of June 2019, the entire 49 percent shareholding owed by Rwandan shareholders was up for sale.[11]
| Rank | Name of Owner | Percentage Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pretoria Portland Cement Company of South Africa | 51.00 |
| 2 | Government of Rwanda | 16.54 |
| 3 | Rwanda Social Security Board | 20.24 |
| 4 | Rwanda Investment Group | 11.45 |
| 5 | Sonarwa Group | 0.76 |
| Total | 100.00 | |
Pretoria Portland Cement Company controls eleven cement factories and a lime manufacturing facility in six African countries including South Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia and Rwanda.[1]
References
- Glory Iribagiza (30 May 2020). "New CIMERWA boss speaks out on rebranding the firm's products". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- Bizimungu, Julius (29 August 2017). "Government moves to attract more cement makers to boost local production". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- Cimerwa Cement (22 April 2018). "Cimerwa Cement Limited: Contact". Bugarama: Cimerwa Cement Limited. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- Globefeed.com (22 April 2018). "Distance between Cyangugu, Rwanda and Cimerwa Cement Factory, Muganza, Rwanda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- Google (22 April 2018). "Location of the Main Factory of Cimerwa Cement Limited, Muganza Sector, Bugarama, Rwanda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- Kabona, Esiara (22 April 2018). "Cimerwa resumes cement production after break". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- Bizimungu, Julius (2 May 2018). "Cimerwa explains hike in cement prices". New Times (Rwanda). Kigali. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- Moses Gahigi, and Esiara Kabona (26 February 2017). "Cement companies scramble for a piece of Rwandan market". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- PPC Limited (22 April 2018). "History of Cimerwa" (PDF). Pretoria Portland Cement Company (PPC Limited). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- Anetos, Pericles (4 January 2017). "Bheki Mthembu to lead PPC unit in Rwanda". Business Day (South Africa). Parktown. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- Moses K. Gahigi (25 June 2019). "Majority shareholder PPC Group could buy Rwanda stake in Cimerwa". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 25 June 2019.