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
Why super-rich are rushing to relocate family offices
Due to the listed reasons, proximity to family is no longer a treasure for the high-net-worth individuals (HNWI).
Why zero-tariff deal with China has stalled
The deal is seen by local traders as a vital hedge against the recent loss of duty-free access to the United States (US) market.
Why thermal power plants are set for a big comeback
Another highly sought-after project is the High Grand Falls dam, which has been looked at as an option to bridge the gap between demand and supply.
Why MPs want KPLC, power firms probed
The probe scrutinised OrPower IV, Kenya’s first IPP, which signed an initial PPA in 1998 for an eight megawatt geothermal plant.
UN agencies turn to China to plug Kenya aid shortfalls after Trump funding cuts
The recent massive cuts to US foreign aid, initiated during the second term of the Trump administration, have crippled key programmes in Kenya such as in health and education sectors.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS