Africa’s Massive Cement Expansion Could Drive An Energy Boom

Africa has emerged as the dominant region for new cement plant construction, driven by rapid urbanization and sizeable infrastructure programs. Global Energy Monitor data cited by Reuters shows that 16 African countries are building new cement kilns and that the continent accounts for 42% of the world’s pipeline for new cement production capacity. Presently, Africa operates roughly 441 million metric tons of annual cement capacity, representing about 8% of global output; projects under construction and formally announced would lift that to more than 507 million tons, or roughly 15% of the global total.

Nigeria leads the continent’s under-construction pipeline with around 10 million tons underway, ranking it second only to India globally. Major manufacturers are investing heavily: Dangote Cement is pursuing a $1 billion pan-African expansion through 2030 and upgrading Lagos export terminals, while BUA Cement has a $1.05 billion plan linked to a national target of 80 million metric tons by 2030 and is building three new 3 mtpa plants under an engineering deal with Sinoma CBMI.

Other notable projects include Taiwan Cement Corporation’s 1.2 million-ton plant in Cameroon that reportedly reduces emissions by using calcined clay and cocoa shells as fuel, and Heidelberg Materials’ construction of a large flash calciner in Ghana. Countries across the region — from Kenya, where Devki Group and Cemtech are building clinker and cement facilities, to Libya, Angola, Uganda, Mali and Mozambique — have set ambitious construction roadmaps that analysts expect could push Sub-Saharan installed capacity from about 280 million metric tons to over 500 million.

The cement surge has implications beyond construction materials because cement-intensive development typically precedes expansion in heavier, more electricity-hungry industries such as steel and chemicals. The International Energy Agency projects electricity demand in Africa to grow faster than anywhere else, with net demand rising from 799 TWh in 2025 to 880 TWh in 2027. Cement plants themselves are large power consumers and often face high grid costs or unreliable supply; that combination can prompt producers to invest in self-generation. Examples from elsewhere include Pakistan’s Bestway Cement, which added solar to reduce grid reliance — underscoring how Africa’s cement boom could catalyze additional power-generation capacity and reshape industrial energy strategies across the continent.