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
Co-op Bank named Africa's SME Bank of the Year
Co-operative Bank of Kenya has been named SME Bank of the Year in Africa at the 2026 African Banker Awards for its strong support of small and medium enterprises across the continent.
Experts: Finance Bill proposal on nascent sectors hurts growth
Experts have raised concerns that proposed tax measures in the Finance Bill 2026 could stifle growth in Kenya’s emerging digital economy and other nascent sectors.
Finance Bill will hit sector hard, warn aviation industry players
Local aviation and logistics industry players have opposed clauses in the Finance Bill that remove tax exemptions for airlines.
Panama eyes new China maritime deal despite Trump pressure
Panamanian President expressed confidence that he can renew a maritime shipping agreement with China, circumventing tensions fueled by US's efforts to control the Panama Canal.
Kenya's 18.1 million informal workers hold the future of pensions
Today, 83.8 per cent of Kenya’s workforce earns their living in the informal sector, but our pension system remains anchored around formal employment.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS