Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Government is optimistic that by next year the country will be producing enough cement to meet local demand and eradicate the need to import the commodity.
The optimism has been ignited by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu’s tour of the Chegutu Cement Plant under construction, where he was upbeat about the cement manufacturing in the country.
“This project is addressing critical cement shortages that we are experiencing, leading to imports from neighbouring countries,” Minister Ndlovu said today.
“We are happy that by the beginning of 2026, this plant will start producing cement, meaning that more than likely there will be no need to import.”
The plant is owned by Shuntal Investment Private Limited, a Chinese investor with mining and cement plant interests in various parts of the country.
The Chegutu plant, whose construction work must be completed before the onset of the 2025-2026 rainy season, is expected to produce 800 000 tonnes of cement annually.
Shuntai Investments (Pvt) Ltd administration manager, Mr Yan Bo, who confirmed to Minister Ndlovu the production timelines and targets set, said US$70 million has been invested in the Chegutu plant alone.
He also said that due to technologically-advanced machines and locally available resources, it meant low production costs, which translates to a reduced retail price of a bag of cement.
Already, 300 youths from Chegutu and surrounding areas are employed.
Shuntal Investment Pvt Ltd is expected to employ a total of 4 000 people across all its entities in the country, including Mashonaland West, Central and Midlands provinces.
Another Chinese investor, WhiZim International, is setting up a US$1 billion cement plant in Magunje, where over 2 000 people will be employed. Construction works are also at an advanced stage.
