Bamburi Cement (ARM Cement / Holcim East Africa)

Bamburi Cement Limited is East Africa's largest cement producer, operating plants in Kenya and Uganda with a combined installed capacity of approximately 6 million tonnes per annum. Originally established in 1951 at Bamburi near Mombasa, the company is now part of the Holcim Group following the acquisition of its former parent Lafarge. Key production sites include the Athi River plant near Nairobi, the historic Bamburi plant in Mombasa, and the Hima Cement plant in Tororo, Uganda. Bamburi produces a range of products including Portland cement, Pozzolanic cement, and speciality cements for road and dam construction. The company is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

1. 01Maintain leadership in the East African cement market with over 6 MTPA installed capacity
2. 02Serve the infrastructure boom across Kenya, Uganda, and the wider East African Community region
3. 03Advance sustainable cement production through alternative fuels and reduced clinker ratio
4. 04Develop innovative low-carbon cement products for the East African construction sector
5. 05Support Kenya's Vision 2030 and Uganda's infrastructure development plans with reliable supply

1. 1951 · completed

   Bamburi Cement Founded

   Bamburi Portland Cement Company is established in Bamburi, Mombasa, making it one of the oldest cement manufacturers in East Africa.

2. 1999 · completed

   Athi River Plant Commissioned

   A major new plant at Athi River near Nairobi is commissioned, providing capacity closer to Kenya's main construction market and reducing transport costs.

3. 2011 · completed

   ARM Cement Acquisition of Hima

   The wider East African cement landscape consolidates as major players acquire and expand. Bamburi, through its parent, controls Hima Cement in Uganda.

4. 2016 · completed

   Holcim Group Integration

   Following the global LafargeHolcim merger, Bamburi Cement becomes part of the Holcim Group, gaining access to enhanced technology and global best practices.

5. 2022 · completed

   Green Cement and AFR Expansion

   Bamburi increases use of alternative fuels and raw materials, targeting 15%+ thermal substitution rate. Launches lower-carbon cement products for the Kenyan market.

6. 2025 · in progress

   Potential Ownership Transition

   Holcim explores strategic options for its East African cement assets, with potential for new ownership or partnership that could reshape the regional market.

• Dry-process rotary kiln systems with multi-stage preheaters at Athi River and Hima plants
• Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) blending using volcanic pozzolana to reduce clinker content and CO2 emissions
• Alternative fuels co-processing using industrial waste, biomass, and agricultural residues in kilns
• Automated quality monitoring with on-line analysers for consistent product quality
• Baobab Eco-Restoration Programme at the historic Bamburi quarry — a globally recognised rehabilitation project

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• Bamburi Cement Ltd — part of Holcim Group