This visit, taking place from March 17 to 21, 2025, aims to assess the implementation of the industrial policy in the cement sector.The main objective of this visit is to strengthen the competitiveness of the Cameroonian cement industry and promote local production. The minister also wishes to evaluate the challenges facing the industry and find solutions to improve the quality and quantity of production.This visit is part of the Cameroonian government's industrial policy, which aims to promote local production and reduce dependence on imports. Minister Fuh Calistus is determined to support the Cameroonian cement industry to make it more competitive and productive.Cameroon now has six cement factories with the inauguration of Cimpor, 9 years after the end of the monopoly held by Cimenteries du Cameroun (Cimencam, with 2.3 million tons following the commissioning of the new line in Figuil). This subsidiary of the Lafarge Holcim Maroc Afrique conglomerate had dominated the Cameroonian cement market for 48 years before the arrival of Dangote Cement Cameroon in 2015.Since then, the cement factory of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote (1.5 million tons) has been followed by the Moroccan Cimaf (1.5 million tons with the completion of the extension of the Douala plant this March); Medcem Cameroon 600,000 tons,a subsidiary of Turkish Eren Holding and Mira Company 1.5 million tons with the new line commissioned in June 2022.The arrival of Cimpor on the Cameroonian cement market brings the country's production capacity to 8.4 million tons. Enough to cover national demand, which officially stands at around 8 million tons, and conquer external markets.Moreover, despite the increase in cement production capacity in Cameroon since 2015, the price of a 50 kg bag of cement is still considered high compared to countries with a similar level of development. As evidence, even Cimpor, the new entrant in the market, has aligned itself with prices ranging from 5,100 FCFA to 5,300 FCFA for a 50 kg bag in the country's two main metropolises.In the face of consumer complaints, who fail to understand why prices are not decreasing despite increased competition, producers and the government always cite clinker imports, which increase production costs for industries. Even though, at times, the government does not hesitate to suspect producers of illicit price-fixing

Christelle koambi