The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Madam Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to positioning Ghana as a leading hub for cement production, sustainable construction materials and industrial investment in Africa.
She made the call as she officially opened the INTERCEM Africa 2026 Conference in Accra on behalf of President H.E. John Dramani Mahama.
The two-day conference has attracted more than 100 companies from 37 countries, including cement producers, traders, financiers, logistics providers, researchers, and sustainability experts.
Delivering the address, the Minister said Africa’s cement market is projected to reach US$11.7 billion by 2029, driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth, and increasing investment in infrastructure and housing.
She noted that Ghana is strategically positioned to benefit from this growth, with 15 major cement producers and an installed production capacity exceeding 10 million metric tonnes annually.
The Minister stressed that while Ghana’s infrastructure and housing agenda will continue to drive strong demand for cement, the industry must address critical challenges relating to clinker supply security.
She described Ghana’s dependence on imported clinker as a structural vulnerability and called on producers, traders, financiers, and logistics operators attending the conference to develop practical solutions to diversify supply sources and strengthen regional production capacity.
On sustainable industrialisation, she highlighted Ghana’s leadership in the adoption of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) technology.
The Minister underscored the importance of innovative financing mechanisms to unlock large-scale industrial and infrastructure investment.
She said Government is engaging development finance institutions and implementing reforms under the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Act, 2026, to create a more attractive environment for investors, while strengthening the competitiveness of local manufacturers through energy, trade, and regulatory reforms.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare urged delegates to move beyond discussions and use the conference to forge concrete partnerships and investment commitments.
Reaffirming Government’s support for the cement industry, she emphasised that the sector remains central to Ghana’s industrial transformation agenda, and called on participants to leave Accra with agreements that will help transform Africa from a raw material exporter into a value-adding industrial powerhouse.
The Chief Executive Officer of Continental Blue Investment (CBI) Ghana Ltd. and President of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana (COCMAG), Mr. Frederic Albrecht, described Ghana’s hosting of INTERCEM Africa 2026 as recognition of the country’s growing importance in Africa’s cement value chain.
He noted that the conference provides an important platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to strengthen collaboration on clinker supply, sustainable cement production, and industrial financing, while creating partnerships that will support infrastructure development and economic transformation across the continent.
Adwoa Koramah Anokye-Gyimah, ISD
