Chinese firm Shuntai’s US$200m cement plant set to start operations 

Source: Chinese firm Shuntai’s US$200m cement plant set to start operations – herald

Business Reporter

CHINESE company Shuntai Investments is set to commence operations in September this year, after making significant progress on its US$200 million cement facility in Chegutu, Mashonaland West Province.

Speaking ahead of the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Exhibition 2026 scheduled for next week, Shuntai administrator Mr Jack Zhang said the investment was a significant milestone for the cement industry as this would improve the availability and affordability of cement.

The cement plant alone entails an investment of about US$120 million, with the balance invested in complementary infrastructure. This includes a 50-megawatt solar power plant, a packaging facility, and a fleet of electric vehicles.

“We want to be self-sufficient in our operations,” said Mr Zhang. We are also setting up a 50-megawatt thermal power plant with a view to feeding excess power into the national grid,” added.

Once operational, the plant will produce both bulk and bagged cement under the Shuntai brand. With a design capacity of up to 6 000 tonnes of cement per day, the facility will become one of the country’s largest producers, helping to meet the growing demand in the construction sector.

Mr Zhang said the project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities. Around 400 people will be employed alongside Chinese technical personnel during the initial phase, with total employment projected to reach between 1 500 and 2 000 jobs as the business expands.

Analysts say the expansion of the domestic cement industry will significantly lower construction costs, as improved local supply is expected to bring down prices.

Compared to other countries in the region, Zimbabwe has historically grappled with higher cement prices. The improved availability will not only lower costs but also accelerate activity in the construction sector, which is currently one of the country’s best-performing industries.

Zimbabwe’s annual cement demand is estimated at 1.6 to 1.8 million tonnes, driven by public infrastructure projects, housing, and industrial construction.

Because this outstrips domestic production—which has an installed capacity of roughly 2.6 million tonnes but frequently suffers from clinker shortages and equipment downtime—the Government has occasionally opened up import licensing.