Cimerwa Cement Limited

The main factory of the company is located in Muganza Sector, in the town of Bugarama, in Rusizi District, in the Western Province of Rwanda.[3] This location is approximately 36 kilometres (22 mi), by road, south-east of the city of Cyangugu, the largest urban center in Rusizi District, and the location of the district headquarters.[4] The coordinates of the main factory of Cimerwa are: 02°36'25.0"S, 29°01'03.0"E (Latitude:-2.606944; Longitude:29.017500).[5] The company also maintains offices in the city of Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda.[3]

The installed factory capacity is 600,000 metric tonnes annually. Prior to 2018, the factory was performing at under 60 percent capacity (approximately 350,000 metric tonnes annually).[2] In 2018, the factory was upgraded and increased its performance to approximately 74 percent of installed capacity (approximately 441,223 metric tonnes annually).[6] The upgrade cost US$3.3 million, and lasted 26 days.[7]

Prior to the 2018 upgrade, Cimerwa could produce 27,000 metric tonnes monthly, or approximately 54 percent of the 50,000 metric tonnes needed monthly to satisfy Rwanda's cement needs.[8] With production of an expected 441,223 metric tonnes after the upgrade, it is expected cement importation into Rwanda will reduce.[6]

The factory uses imported coal from Malawi and Tanzania, to fuel its kilns.[7]

The company was established in 1982, with capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes annually. It was managed by a Chinese company, CBMC, under a "build-own-operate-transfer" model. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, plant operations were suspended and 53 employees died. In 2001, plant capacity was increased to 100,000 metric tonnes annually.[9]

In 2006, Cimerwa was privatized under the Rwanda Investment Group. Ownership transferred to several Rwanda-based institutions. PPC Limited acquired a 51 percent ownership in Cimerwa, for US$69.4 million in 2013. In 2015, the company assumed a new corporate identity to reflect the new ownership.[9]

As of May 2020, CIMERWA produces four types of portland cement; namely 1. SUREBUILD, a 42.5N premium cement meant for heavy construction projects 2. SURECEM, a 32.5N all-purpose cement ideal for concrete, mortar, plaster and brick joinery 3. SUREROAD, another 32.5N product, is a custom-made cement meant for road construction and 4. SUREWALL, is a 22.5X masonry cement specifically designed for plastering and brick joinery.[1]

Cimerwa Cement Limited operates as a 51 percent subsidiary of Pretoria Portland Cement Company (PPC Limited), a South African cement-manufacturing conglomerate, whose shares of stock are traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.[10] The table below illustrates the shareholding in the company, as of June 2019.[11] As of June 2019, the entire 49 percent shareholding owed by Rwandan shareholders was up for sale.[11]

Pretoria Portland Cement Company controls eleven cement factories and a lime manufacturing facility in six African countries including South Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia and Rwanda.[1]

• List of cement manufacturers in Rwanda

• Website of Cimerwa Cement Limited