• Huaxin Cement to more than double output at Mt Hampden plant from 200,000 to 500,000 tonnes by 2026 to meet growing domestic and regional demand
• Expansion aligns with Zimbabwe’s construction boom driven by public infrastructure projects, private real estate development, and urbanisation
• Part of Huaxin’s broader African strategy, leveraging acquisitions of former Lafarge businesses to strengthen operational scale and competitiveness

Harare - Chinese cement manufacturer Huaxin Cement is set to more than double cement output to 500,000 tonnes per year by 2026 from the 200 000 tonnes current  capacity, positioning the facility as a major player in Zimbabwe’s increasingly competitive cement market.

This highlights growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s construction sector and the company’s broader African ambitions.

Built in 2024, the Mt Hampden factory currently produces 200,000 tonnes of cement annually under the DuraCrete brand, alongside 20,000 tonnes of tile adhesive.

The expansion comes at a time when cement demand in Zimbabwe has been buoyed by a combination of public infrastructure projects, private real estate development, and the steady formalisation of housing construction.

Government-led initiatives such as the Harare–Beitbridge Highway rehabilitation, dam construction projects, and urban housing programmes have driven sustained demand for building materials.

On the other hand , diaspora remittances and informal sector capital continue to flow into residential property development, creating a resilient domestic market for cement producers.

Mt Hampden’s strategic importance adds further context to Huaxin’s investment. The area, located northwest of Harare’s central business district, has become a focal point of new administrative and residential development, including the new Parliament building and planned government precincts.

The location offers logistical advantages, providing proximity to Harare’s expanding urban footprint and key transport corridors.

Scaling up capacity, positions the manufacture  to capture a larger share of both public and private sector construction demand.

The move also intensifies competition with established players in Zimbabwe’s cement industry, including PPC Zimbabwe, Khayah Cement Zimbabwe (formerly Larfage cement ), and other regional producers that have invested in modernising plants and strengthening distribution networks.

The company has been steadily expanding its footprint across Africa, acquiring and integrating cement businesses previously owned by Lafarge as part of a broader global divestment strategy by the French multinational.

These acquisitions give Huaxin immediate scale in several African markets, allowing it to leverage existing infrastructure while introducing operational efficiencies and new product lines.

Africa’s construction sector continues to grow amid a significant infrastructure gap a combination of rapidly urbanising populations, industrialisation, and aging or under-maintained facilities. This gap is reshaping demand for cement and other building materials, creating opportunities for companies like Huaxin to expand operations while contributing to long-term economic development.

The expansion of cement manufacturing capacity also carries macroeconomic implications. Increased local production reduces reliance on imports, supports foreign currency savings, and contributes to employment across production, logistics, and retail supply chains.

Downstream industries, such as hardware retailers and construction firms, stand to benefit from more stable supply and potentially improved pricing dynamics as competition deepens.

However, the sustainability of demand will depend on broader economic stability. Zimbabwe’s construction sector has historically been sensitive to currency volatility, access to credit, and public sector financing constraints.

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