Tanzania's Amsons Group launches Sh23.1b bid to acquire Bamburi cement

Business
By Brian Ngugi | Jul 11, 2024
Bamburi Cement trucks collect cement from a Silo storage facility in Industrial Area, Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Tanzania's leading manufacturing and energy giant, Amsons Group, has issued a binding offer to acquire up to a 100 per cent stake in Kenya's Bamburi Cement PLC for a total sum of Sh23.1 billion.

Amsons, through its Kenyan subsidiary Amsons Industries (K) Ltd, has issued a notice of intention to launch a public takeover offer to acquire up to 100 per cent of Bamburi's shares at 65 Kenyan shillings per share.

"We have great plans to deepen our investment in Kenya and in Bamburi," said Amsons Group Managing Director Edha Nahdi in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

"The proposed cross-border acquisition will further strengthen our position in the East African cement sector as part of our regional economic development and market integration strategy."

Amsons, a family-owned business founded in 2006, has diversified from its roots in bulk oil and petroleum products to become a manufacturing and energy conglomerate with over $1 billion in annual revenue. Its cement operations include a 6,000 metric tonnes/day facility and the recently acquired Mbeya Cement in Tanzania.

The acquisition of Bamburi would mark Amsons' formal entry into the Kenyan market, where the group plans to make further investments in the coming months, according to Nahdi.

Holcim, which currently owns a 65 per cent stake in Bamburi, said the deal "advances Holcim's strategy of extending our leadership in our core markets as the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions."

"With Amsons Group, we are pleased to have found a strategic and trusted partner best positioned to develop Bamburi Cement PLC's business in the long term," said Holcim's Regional Head of Asia, Middle East and Africa, Martin Kriegner in the statement.

The proposed $180 million acquisition would mark a significant milestone for Amsons as it seeks to invest in one of Kenya's iconic blue-chip companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

Share this story
Future of art, technology and Kenya's creative economy in job creation
Government says Kenya’s creative economy, highlighted at the WITIA Creative Show 2026, can drive youth job creation by linking art, technology and innovation.
Tala strengthens customer ID checks to protect borrowers from fraud
Tala has tightened customer identity checks by requiring users to submit IDs and live selfies to curb fraud and meet new lending regulations.
Government opens up power sector to competition, reduces KPLC monopoly
The government has officially gazetted new electricity market regulations that are set to overhaul how power is generated, traded and distributed in the country.
Summit billions, little relief: economist questions Africa Forward gains
Kenya may leave the Africa Forward Summit with political gains for its leaders but little relief for struggling households, economist XN Iraki has warned.
Insurance penetration slips as firms target underserved groups
 Kenya's private insurance market continues to shrink as a share of the economy even as providers expand into segments long considered difficult to underwrite.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS