"Capturing new opportunities in the fastest growing continent amidst strong competition and regional capacities!" "There is a need for increased investments in the cement industry in Zambia in order for prices of cement to stabilize, says NCC. Industry insiders have said that the Zambian government was targeting at least 5 potential investors to fund and set up cement plants. The 3 plants currently in operation are not producing enough cement to meet increasing demand." 29/10/13, www.worldcement.com "Lafarge Zambia plc has commissioned a US$5m 600,000t/yr aggregate plant with the Zambian Government that is expected to create 70 new direct jobs." 6/12/13, www.globalcement.com "Nigeria has overtaken South Africa as the biggest cement manufacturer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as a result of growing demand and favourable government regulations in Africa’s second largest economy, according to a Renaissance Capital research." 27/11/13, www.ventures-africa.com New hotels are springing up across Africa, despite the trials of bureaucratic delay and poor infrastructure, to meet the demand of an increasing number of tourists and business travelers as well as growing middle class. According to IMF, sub sahara Africa is set to gain 6.2% growth this year. Africa’s rise has prompted cement consumption to grow at a fast pace, driven by rapid urbanization & industrialization, increasing housing needs and infrastructure expansion, improving political and economic stability among others. Cement expansions and new plants are being set up throughout Africa and cement acquisitions on the increase in recent years. How will this impact the cement market in the region? Are there still rooms for cheaper imports from Asia? And what are the strategy cement players are adopting to remain competitive, with rising cost of production in Africa? | 
