Cement giant set for Sh26b revamp as it eyes infrastructure boom

Following a commitment from its parent company, Kalahari Cement, to invest $200 million (Sh26 billion) to triple its capacity, East African Portland Cement (EAPC) is scheduled to undergo a significant renovation of its production facilities.

Just one year has passed since Amsons Group, the parent company of Kalahari Cement, announced a Sh52 billion investment in Bamburi Cement, another of its subsidiaries in Kenya.

Even though the company is currently the leading player in local cement manufacturing, Amsons Group is anticipated to invest a total of Sh78 billion in the two companies over the coming years in order to increase production and solidify its position in the market. 

The manufacturer will install a new energy-efficient clinkerisation plant as part of the Sh26 billion allotted for EAPC.

EAPC, which is well-known for the Blue Triangle cement brand, presently has an installed capacity of 1.3 million tonnes per year.

In order to modernise production, Kalahari Cement will also provide equipment support as part of the financial infusion.

In the following three years, the installed production capacity is to be increased to four million tonnes of cement annually.

The pan-African manufacturing and energy company Amsons Group owns Kalahari Cement, a locally incorporated investment firm. Amsons Group recently completed its bid to purchase the majority of EAPC through Kalahari Cement.

Due to the government's directive to make significant investments in infrastructure projects through the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF), the conglomerate is considering doing more business in the nation.

The money is anticipated to support government investments in public infrastructure, including roads, railroads, ports, airports, energy production and transmission, and industries.

Additionally, the Affordable Housing Levy, which is set at 1.5% of employees' gross pay, is a compelling incentive for companies like EAPC because the government's construction of housing units throughout the counties will increase demand for cement.

Cement production increased from 8.1 million metric tonnes during the same period in 2024 to 9.5 million metric tonnes in the first eleven months of 2025, according to the most recent Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Leading Economic Indicators report.

Similarly, compared to 7.8 million metric tonnes during the same period in 2024, cement consumption increased to 9.3 million metric tonnes during the first eleven months of 2025.

While visiting EAPC's integrated manufacturing facility in Kitengela, Kajiado County, Amsons Group Managing Director Edha Nahdi verified the Sh26 billion infusion.

“Plans are at an advanced stage to facilitate investments valued at more than Sh26 billion (USD 200 million) to support the strategic business turnaround and modernisation of EAPC’s manufacturing infrastructure,” he said.

Nahdi stated that the group will invest in a new energy-efficient grinding and clinkerisation plant to power the turnaround. He was accompanied by EAPC Managing Director Mohamed Osman Adan, who was flanked by senior EAPC and Amsons Group Executives.

“Kalahari Cement has already commissioned a leading global Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor to provide a turnkey clinkerisation plant design for EAPC,” he said.

The Amsons Group controls 69 per cent of EAPC. In addition to EAPC, Amsons Group owns the majority of Bamburi Cement.

“We are fast-tracking this investment agenda to ensure that EAPC will be at hand to make a meaningful contribution to President William Ruto’s recently announced 10-year roadmap on road, rail, ports, airports, and related infrastructure development and expansion. Such developments will also help to create new job opportunities for thousands of Kenyans,” he said.

The acquisition eliminates operational and investment uncertainty by opening the door for the long-awaited turnaround plans. Additionally, the procedure guaranteed employees' job security.

“Amsons is a family-owned business with a rich heritage, and we commit to maintaining a shared prosperity model, prioritising staff welfare initiatives to secure the lives of EAPC Staffers, their families and other stakeholders,” Nahdi said

Amsons Group anticipates that EAPC will be well-positioned to more than triple its declining market share and contribute to significant infrastructure developments through the company's business turnaround and manufacturing infrastructure upgrades.

“As I have said before, Amsons Group is putting its money where its mouth is to power Kenya’s development and economic transformation. We appreciate that the delivery of the 10-year national development roadmap will be heavily reliant on the local availability of quality cement and concrete products,” Nahdi reiterated.

President Ruto's 10-year national development roadmap has a Sh5 trillion budget. A large portion of this funding will come from government investments being privatised and divested.

Kenya's economy is to be transformed from low-middle income to developed.

Similar significant investments have been made by Amsons Group and Bamburi Cement.

A Sh100 million ready-mix concrete plant in Mombasa County was unveiled by Bamburi Cement in April 2025, several months after the acquisition.

Amsons Group intends to invest Sh52 billion (USD 400 million) in the company over the next three years, Nahdi disclosed earlier in March. A portion of it will be utilised to establish a clinker plant in Kwale County's Matuga.

“We are confident that these investments will position the company for sustained success and strengthen Bamburi Cement’s market leadership,” Nahdi said.