Tanzania’s Amsons Group has officially begun integrating Kenya’s leading cement manufacturer, Bamburi Cement, into its expanding portfolio in regional operations. 

This follows the recent closure of a landmark $183 million deal, in which Amsons acquired over 95 percent of Bamburi’s equity shares. Managing Director Edha Nahdi assured a smooth transition with minimal operational disruptions.

“From the onset, I want to assure Bamburi Cement stakeholders of our commitment to upholding and enhancing the high operating and commercial standards set by Holcim Ltd and Lafarge. That is our promise to our customers, employees, banks, suppliers and all stakeholders,” Nahdi said.

He added that the firm will strive to maintain and improve the operating standards and policies already deployed by Bamburi’s former majority equity shareholders. As part of the commitment, Mr Nahdi confirmed that Amsons Group will maintain the professional services of the executive management team led by Bamburi Cement CEO Mr Mohit Kapoor to ensure continuity and continued excellence. 

While welcoming Bamburi Cement stakeholders, Mr Nahdi described the firm as the latest member of the Amsons family, and assured that it holds a special place in the firm’s pan-African business growth journey. 

“Together with our flagship cement business, Camel Cement, and the growing Mbeya Cement operations, we are proud to welcome Bamburi Cement as part of this dynamic and forward-thinking group,” said Nahdi.

He added: “At Amsons Group and as the integration process gets underway in earnest, we have strategic growth plans for Bamburi Cement, with a strong focus on fuelling growth and contributing significantly to Kenya’s national development.”

He further disclosed that Amson’s Group, fresh from the US$183 million acquisition, is looking to invest an additional US$400 million over the next three years to power growth at Bamburi Cement. This will include the development of the Bamburi Cement Integrated Clinker plant in Matuga, Kwale County.

“We are confident that these investments will position the company for sustained success and strengthen Bamburi Cement’s market leadership,” Nahdi said.

Amsons Group is a family-owned business founded in 2006 in Tanzania. While its roots lie in the importation of bulk oil and petroleum products under the Camel Oil Tanzania retail brand, the firm has diversified into a wide range of sectors.

The firm’s manufacturing operations now include an installed cement production capacity of 6,000MT/day, bolstered by the recent acquisition of Mbeya Cement. With Bamburi Cement’s integration, Amsons Group’s total cement manufacturing capacity has now grown to 13,000MT/day. 

Amsons also operates a 500MT/day wheat flour milling plant, a premix concrete plant, Inland Container Depots (ICDs), fuel and lubricants, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), alongside a transportation fleet spanning Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, the DRC, Burundi and Tanzania.