Chinese firms dominate Zimbabwe cement market

Chinese firms now own six out of eight cement players in Zimbabwe, completely flipping the local industry’s landscape.

Chinese dominance across sectors

• Six Chinese companies are operating in Zimbabwe’s cement industry.
• Only two domestic producers, PPC and Khayah, remain.
• China also runs the lithium sector through Sinomine, Huayou, and TA&A.
• Low-cost Chinese electrical goods are flooding the plastics and consumer markets.

PPC is struggling to find local talent

• Ndima Rawana said the market is filled with Chinese workers at competitors.
• They can’t easily hire skilled cement people from outside.
• The company now focuses on developing their own talent internally.
• He said South Africa is in a better spot for finding industry skills.

Sinoma is on the ground in Zimbabwe

• PPC partnered with Sinoma in 2024 to boost operations.
• The Chinese firm has spent two months assessing PPC Zimbabwe.
• They’re looking for ways to improve efficiency and cut costs.
• Matias Cardarelli thinks the opportunities there are even bigger than in South Africa.