Table of Contents
Cimenterie Kongo (CIMKO), a cement venture partly owned by Groupe Rawji, the diversified group led by the Congolese Rawji family, plans to invest over $300 million in the Democratic Republic of Congo to double its cement production capacity. The expansion aims to raise output to 3 million tons a year by 2027, up from the current 1.4 million tons. The move comes as Congo’s construction sector grows with government support.
CIMKO is a joint venture between DR Congo’s Groupe Rawji and Pakistan’s Lucky Cement. Its Songololo plant in Kongo-Central province has been operating since 2018. The company did not specify how the new investment will be financed. Its initial entry into the DRC was supported by loans from the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
Production growth expected from $300 million investment
“As part of this expansion, CIMKO continues to invest in modern, environmentally friendly technologies to reduce our carbon footprint and improve energy efficiency,” the company said. It also highlighted its support for local development through social and economic programs in nearby communities. CIMKO expects the expansion to create both direct and indirect jobs.
The $300 million investment in CIMKO is expected to increase production in the DRC’s cement market. The DRC’s government may need to strengthen border controls to capture the full impact of the investment. The expansion could support infrastructure development, faster project delivery, employment growth, and price stability in the sector.
Congolese Rawji family expands diverse holdings
Groupe Rawji, controlled by the Congolese Rawji family, operates across financial services, manufacturing, distribution, real estate, and consumer goods. Its holdings include Rawbank, the country’s largest bank; Marsavco, an industrial and commercial manufacturer; and Prodimpex, a distributor of technical equipment partnered with BMW, IVECO, and Yamaha Motors.
The group also runs Hexagon Imund Export GmbH & Co. KG, which handles trade in Africa, and Vizione Properties LLC, a developer of residential, commercial, and retail projects in the UAE. Through CIMKO and other subsidiaries, Groupe Rawji plays a role in the DRC’s industrial and commercial sectors while supporting employment and community initiatives.
