Burundi Cement Company
Burundi Cement Company, commonly known as BUCECO, is a cement manufacturer based in Cibitoke, Burundi.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Burundi Cement Company, widely referred to as BUCECO, is a Burundian cement manufacturer located in Cibitoke. It was established by Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa and received a framework of tax and customs concessions under an agreement signed on 3 April 2008. The company began manufacturing cement in January 2011 and was described as Burundi's only cement company during the early years of its operation. BUCECO's production increased substantially after launch. It produced approximately 34,500 tonnes of cement in 2011 and 70,500 tonnes in 2012. By 2013, the business employed about 80 people, while its plant was expected to reach a production capacity of 100,000 tonnes later that year. The company was also considering construction of an additional plant, although the available reference material does not establish whether that expansion was completed. The company's commercial position has been closely connected to Burundi's domestic cement supply and price policy. Cement has periodically been treated as an essential construction input, and government authorities have intervened when retail prices exceeded officially indicated levels. In 2020, authorities reported differences between the official price and prices charged at some sales points. In 2022, the Ministry of Commerce asked BUCECO to suspend a unilateral price increase and requested that any revised price be discussed with the ministry and justified by production costs, margins, and capacity. BUCECO argued that higher raw-material and transport costs warranted a price review, particularly as the government considered allowing cement imports to increase supply and restrain prices. In October 2022, BUCECO announced a price increase alongside Burundi Breweries, attributing the decision to rising raw-material and energy costs. Civil-society organization OLUCOME criticized the broader increase in prices of essential goods and called for government action. In August 2023, the reported price of a 50-kilogram bag of 32.5R cement rose from 28,500 to 38,000 Burundian francs. The factory was built on land formerly associated with the Burundi Tobacco Company and became surrounded by residential development. Dust and noise from the facility generated environmental and public-health concerns. Authorities suggested in 2020 that residents should settle farther from the plant, and in February 2021 the environment minister announced that the factory would be relocated. The available material does not confirm whether the relocation occurred. BUCECO is therefore best understood as a domestically important cement producer whose history combines industrial development, state-supported investment, price regulation, supply concerns, and environmental pressures around its Cibitoke plant.
History
Burundi Cement Company, known as BUCECO, was founded by Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa. Its investment framework was formalized through an agreement signed on 3 April 2008, which granted the company tax and customs advantages. The concessions were subsequently amended on 23 May 2016 and 21 January 2020. The company began cement production in January 2011. At the time, it was described as the only cement manufacturer in Burundi, giving it an unusually central position in the national construction-materials market. Initial output was reported at 34,500 tonnes in 2011. Production rose to approximately 70,500 tonnes in 2012, demonstrating a rapid increase during the plant's first years. By 2013, BUCECO employed around 80 people and was expected to reach a capacity of 100,000 tonnes. The company was also examining the possibility of building another plant, but the available references do not document the completion or operating status of such a project. The factory was constructed on land in Cibitoke that had previously housed the Burundi Tobacco Company. As residential settlement expanded around the industrial site, dust and noise from cement operations became a source of concern. In February 2020, authorities suggested that residents should move away from the factory area. In February 2021, Environment Minister Déo Guide Rurema announced that the plant would be relocated, an announcement welcomed by Cibitoke provincial governor Carême Bizoza. The available material does not establish whether the move was completed. BUCECO's later history was marked by disputes and negotiations over cement pricing. In September 2020, the commerce minister made a surprise visit to the facility. That November, authorities reported that the official price for a 50-kilogram bag of 32.5 cement was 24,500 Burundian francs, while some sellers in different provinces were charging 30,000 francs. The ministry warned traders that sanctions could follow if they sold above the official price. In January 2022, the Ministry of Commerce asked BUCECO to suspend a unilateral increase in its prices. The ministry said that any new price should be discussed with the government and should reflect production costs, profit margins, and production capacity. Later that year, the government announced that it was preparing to permit cement imports, among other measures, to help lower prices. BUCECO sought a price review before imports were introduced and argued that its prices needed to reflect increases in raw materials and transport costs. In October 2022, BUCECO and Burundi Breweries announced price increases, citing higher raw-material and energy costs. OLUCOME, an organization focused on corruption and economic malpractice, warned that rising prices for essential products were a serious concern and urged the government to respond. In August 2023, the reported retail price of a 50-kilogram bag of 32.5R cement rose from 28,500 to 38,000 Burundian francs. BUCECO's documented trajectory therefore moves from state-supported industrial establishment to a strategically important domestic manufacturer operating under close public scrutiny. Its production growth addressed part of Burundi's need for locally made cement, while the location of its plant created environmental and urban-planning challenges. At the same time, the company's pricing decisions became intertwined with government regulation, the possibility of imports, and broader inflationary pressure affecting construction materials.
- 2021
Factory relocation announced
[1]The environment minister announced plans to move the facility because of dust and noise concerns affecting nearby residents.
- 2020
Tax and customs agreement amended again
[1]A further amendment to the agreement was recorded on 21 January 2020.
- 2016
Tax and customs agreement amended
[1]The company's preferential tax and customs framework was amended on 23 May 2016.
- 2013
Plant approaches 100,000-tonne capacity
[1]The company employed about 80 people and expected its existing facility to reach a capacity of 100,000 tonnes.
- 2012
Output reaches 70,500 tonnes
[1]Reported annual production rose to approximately 70,500 tonnes, compared with 34,500 tonnes in 2011.
- 2011
Cement production begins
[1]BUCECO started manufacturing cement in January 2011.
- 2008
Investment and tax agreement signed
[1]An agreement dated 3 April 2008 provided BUCECO with tax and customs advantages.
Products and positioning
A domestic Burundian cement manufacturer supplying the country's construction market, with its commercial operations shaped by local production capacity, government price oversight, import policy, and input-cost pressures.
Cement
32.5 cement
A cement grade sold by BUCECO in 50-kilogram bags and referenced in Burundi's official and retail price discussions. The available material identifies the grade and packaging but does not provide a technical product specification or a full range of applications.
Cement
32.5R cement
A BUCECO cement product identified in reporting about retail prices in August 2023. The reference material does not provide detailed formulation, performance, packaging, or distribution information beyond the reported 50-kilogram bag format.
Brand decisions
2022
BUCECO seeks approval for higher cement pricesPrice changeBackground
The company faced higher costs for raw materials and transportation while the government considered allowing cement imports to increase supply and reduce prices.
Action taken
BUCECO requested a review of its prices before imports were permitted and argued that prices should cover increased operating costs.
Aftermath
The company announced a price increase in October 2022. The move drew criticism from OLUCOME as part of a broader rise in prices for essential goods.
2021
Government announces proposed relocation of plantStrategyBackground
The factory had become surrounded by residential development, and dust and noise were reported as health and environmental concerns.
Action taken
The environment minister announced that the BUCECO factory would be moved.
Aftermath
The governor of Cibitoke Province welcomed the announcement, but the available source does not confirm whether relocation was completed.
Recent events
- 2023
Reported price of 32.5R cement rises[1]
Pricing
The reported price of a bag of 32.5R cement increased from 28,500 to 38,000 BIF in August 2023.
- 2022
Commerce ministry asks BUCECO to suspend price increase[1]
Pricing · Regulation
The Ministry of Commerce asked BUCECO to halt a unilateral product-price increase and consult the ministry before adopting a revised price.
- 2022
Government considers cement imports amid price pressure[1]
Regulation · Pricing
The government said it was preparing to permit cement and sugar imports to help contain prices. BUCECO requested a price review before imports were authorized.
- 2022
BUCECO announces cement price increase[1]
Pricing · Regulation
BUCECO announced a price increase in October, attributing it to higher raw-material and energy costs. OLUCOME criticized the wider rise in prices of essential products.
- 2021
Authorities announce proposed relocation of BUCECO factory[1]
Regulation · Other
The environment minister announced that the factory would be moved after concerns about dust and noise pollution affecting nearby residents.
- 2020
Minister makes surprise visit to BUCECO plant[1]
Regulation
Burundi's commerce minister made an unannounced visit to the BUCECO facility in September 2020.
- 2020
Authorities warn traders over cement prices[1]
Pricing · Regulation
Authorities reported that a 50-kilogram bag of 32.5 cement officially cost 24,500 BIF, while some outlets were charging 30,000 BIF, prompting warnings of sanctions for overcharging.
- 2012
BUCECO production expands after launch[1]
Other
Reported output increased from approximately 34,500 tonnes in 2011 to 70,500 tonnes in 2012.
- 2011
BUCECO begins cement production[1]
Product launch
Burundi Cement Company began production in January 2011 and was identified as the country's only cement company at that time.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/burundi-cement-company · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled