Ethiopia Inaugurates Massive Cement Factory with Global Standards
Ethiopia has inaugurated a major new cement factory with the capacity to produce 150,000 quintals of cement per day.
The inauguration took place on September 28, 2024, in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other distinguished guests.
The factory is located in Lemi, North Shewa Zone of the Amhara region, approximately 134 kilometers from Addis Ababa.
It took only two years to complete and boasts modern technology designed to minimize human contact, thereby using less energy while maximizing production.
One of the factory’s most impressive features is its 174-meter pre-heating tower, the longest of its kind in the world.
The facility’s production capacity is said to account for 50% of the combined output of similar factories previously built in Ethiopia.
This $2.2 billion project was built in partnership between Ethiopia’s East Africa Holding and China’s West International Holding.
Dr. Bizuayehu Tadele, chairman of East Africa Holding, highlighted the factory’s use of cutting-edge technology, positioning it as a globally competitive enterprise.
He emphasized that the factory’s capacity could meet half of Ethiopia’s current cement production needs, providing a significant boost to the country’s construction sector.
In addition to its direct economic contributions, the project will create job opportunities for more than 20,000 people, both directly and indirectly.
Furthermore, the factory has plans to expand into gypsum board and prefabricated house manufacturing in the future.
Dr. Bizuayehu also stated that Ethiopian experts have been sent to China for specialized training, showcasing a commitment to developing local expertise in the field.
Ethiopia currently has 13 cement factories, most of which are located in Addis Ababa and the Oromia region.
The new Lemi cement factory brings the total to two in the Amhara region. Other regions, such as Dire Dawa three factories while Benishangul-Gumuz, and Tigray, have one cement factory each.
In Africa, countries like Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and Morocco lead cement production, with Ethiopia ranking seventh in East Africa.
The country’s cement industry is dominated by a mix of international and local players, including Derba Midroc Cement, Dangote, Mugher Cement, Messebo Cement, Habesha Cement, and National Cement, the parent company of East Africa Holding.
Production is concentrated around Addis Ababa, which hosts over 40% of the plants, while the rest are spread across five of Ethiopia’s 11 regions.
This new factory is expected to greatly reduce Ethiopia’s reliance on cement imports, support the construction sector, and further strengthen the country’s growing industrial base.
