31 October 2026
Cheetah Cement is planning a new cement manufacturing plant in Gaborone with an annual production capacity of 800,000 tonnes. This signals an expansion of its footprint in Botswana’s construction industry as the company seeks to strengthen local production and reduce reliance on imported cement.
The proposed investment was highlighted during a familiarisation visit to the company’s existing production facility in Matsiloje by Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) Chief Executive Officer, Keletsositse Olebile, and members of his management team.
The delegation was received by Cheetah Cement’s newly appointed CEO, Mr Wang, who briefed the BITC leadership on the company’s operational performance, growth prospects and investment challenges. Having commenced operations in 2021, Cheetah Cement has navigated initial operational and market challenges, with management reporting improved performance in 2026. The company currently employs 41 Batswana and contributes to community development through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The planned Gaborone facility represents a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy, with the potential to create additional jobs, increase domestic cement production and strengthen Botswana’s industrial capacity. By expanding local manufacturing, the investment could also help reduce the country’s dependence on imported cement, supporting efforts to retain more economic value within the domestic market.
The proposed investment aligns with Botswana’s broader economic diversification priorities centred on growing productive industries, expanding employment opportunities and strengthening local supply chains.
Increased domestic manufacturing capacity could also support the construction sector, although the project’s ultimate impact will depend on implementation, market demand and the availability of essential infrastructure.
During the engagement, Olebile emphasised the importance of strengthening local value chains, particularly through domestic sourcing of raw materials. He also reaffirmed BITC’s commitment to facilitating the resolution of outstanding regulatory and infrastructure challenges that could affect the timely implementation of the project. The investment promotion agency’s engagement reflects the importance of investment aftercare in helping established investors address operational constraints and advance expansion plans.
Resolving such bottlenecks will be critical to translating proposed investments into tangible
outcomes, including jobs, industrial output and wider economic benefits. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Matsiloje production facility, giving the delegation firsthand insight into the company’s manufacturing operations
Source: The Projects Magazine via Facebook
