(4 minutes read)
· The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( CCPC) of Zambia sternly warned that that market prices of cement would have to conform to the issued directives of the government and told the manufacturers to cut cement prices by the ninth of next month (9 May 2021
· Top cement producers in the country are Lafarge Zambia Plc, Dangote Cement Zambia Limited and Mpande Limestone Limited – commonly known on the market as Sinoma Cement
· The government told them to revert to the pre-cartel prices, which effectively takes effect 30 days after the parties receive the board decision
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( CCPC) of Zambia sternly warned that the market prices of cement would have to conform to the issued directives of the government and told the manufacturers to cut cement prices by the ninth of next month (9 May 2021).
Top cement producers in the country are Lafarge Zambia Plc, Dangote Cement Zambia Limited and Mpande Limestone Limited – commonly known on the market as Sinoma Cement. The government told them to revert to the pre-cartel prices, which effectively takes effect 30 days after the parties receive the board decision.
The three companies confirmed receiving the board decision on 8 April. They have a 30 days window to comply with the directive.
The commission has ordered the slashing of cement prices from the current average prices of K140 per 50kg bag of cement to a range of between US$4.5 to US$5. This translates to K110 per 50kg bag at the current exchange rate of K22 per 1 US dollar.
A price cut of that extent would give the advantage of 21% price reduction to the consumers. This will help the completion of several infrastructures, housing and other building projects. Lafarge Zambia Plc, Mpande Limestone and Dangote cement have to revert to the pre-cartel prices ranging between US$4.5-US$5 for 50Kg for a period of up to 1-year effective date of receipt of the board decision.
