Ghana is positioning itself as a regional center for cement production and sustainable construction materials, betting on growing infrastructure demand across Africa while seeking solutions to its dependence on imported clinker, a key raw material used in cement manufacturing.
Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said the government is committed to transforming the country into a leading cement production and industrial investment hub as Africa’s construction sector expands.
Speaking at the opening of the INTERCEM Africa 2026 Conference, Ofosu-Adjare said the continent’s cement market is projected to reach $11.7 billion by 2029, driven by rapid urbanization, population growth and increased spending on infrastructure and housing.
The two-day conference has brought together more than 100 companies from 37 countries, including cement manufacturers, traders, financiers, logistics providers, researchers and sustainability experts.
Delivering remarks on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the minister said Ghana is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the industry’s growth, citing the country’s 15 major cement producers and installed production capacity of more than 10 million metric tonnes annually.
Despite the sector’s growth prospects, Ofosu-Adjare warned that the industry’s reliance on imported clinker remains a significant challenge that could undermine long-term competitiveness and supply security.
She described dependence on imported clinker as a structural vulnerability and urged industry participants attending the conference to develop practical solutions that would diversify supply sources and strengthen regional clinker production capacity.
The issue has become increasingly important as cement producers across Africa face supply chain disruptions, rising shipping costs and currency volatility that can affect the cost of imported raw materials.
The minister also cited Ghana’s efforts to promote lower-carbon cement production through Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) technology. Earlier this year, President Mahama inaugurated West Africa’s first LC3 calcined clay production facility, a move government officials see as a major step toward greener industrialization.
According to Ofosu-Adjare, the technology reduces clinker consumption and carbon emissions while utilizing locally available clay resources, offering a potentially more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative for cement producers across the continent.
The government is also pursuing financing and regulatory reforms to attract industrial investment. Ofosu-Adjare said authorities are engaging development finance institutions and implementing measures under the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026, to improve the investment climate.
She added that reforms targeting energy costs, trade facilitation and regulation are intended to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers and encourage expansion within the industrial sector.
The minister called on delegates to use the conference as a platform to secure investment commitments and commercial partnerships capable of accelerating industrial development across Africa.
She said the cement industry remains central to Ghana’s broader industrial transformation strategy and urged participants to leave Accra with agreements that would help shift the continent from exporting raw materials to producing higher-value industrial products.
Frederic Albrecht, chief executive officer of Continental Blue Investment Ghana Ltd. and president of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana, said Ghana’s selection as host of INTERCEM Africa 2026 reflects the country’s growing importance within Africa’s cement value chain.
Albrecht said the conference provides an opportunity for industry leaders, policymakers and investors to strengthen collaboration on clinker supply, sustainable cement manufacturing and industrial financing while supporting infrastructure development across the continent.
The discussions come as African governments increasingly look to domestic manufacturing and regional value chains to reduce import dependence and meet rising demand for construction materials driven by urban growth and infrastructure expansion.
