Africa cement summit to focus on growth, CBAM and low-carbon investment

Industry leaders, investors and technology providers will gather in Casablanca on 11-12 November 2026 for the 15th Africa Cementrade Summit. The event will examine how African cement producers can expand output while managing carbon rules, financing gaps and the shift to low-carbon production.

Why it matters: - Africa’s cement industry is under pressure to grow capacity while cutting emissions, improving energy efficiency and staying competitive in domestic and export markets. - The summit will bring together producers, financiers, traders and technology suppliers around the commercial realities of decarbonizing cement. - The agenda is built around financing, carbon compliance and operational performance, not just technology adoption.

What happened: - Centre for Management Technology will host the 15th Africa Cementrade Summit on 11-12 November 2026 in Casablanca, Morocco. - The event will cover market outlook, low-carbon cement, LC3, digitalization and the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. - CIMAT, part of the CIMAT/CIMAF Group, is the Gold Sponsor. - PENTOL GmbH and Wacker Chemicals Middle East are Silver Sponsors. - UTIS and CNBM Equipment Group Co. are Associate Sponsors. - CBMI Construction Co. is sponsoring the evening networking reception.

The details: - Said Elhadi, president of the Association Professionnelle des Cimentiers, will give the opening presentation. - Mohamed Yassine Ghilane of CIMAT/CIMAF Technical Services will discuss an industrial data platform for multi-site visibility and advanced analytics. - Brahim Abnay of Ciments du Maroc, part of Heidelberg Materials, will present the company’s approach to renewable energy and waste heat recovery. - Philippe Richart, CEO of the World Cement Association, and Dr. Oyekemi Oyelola, acting head of sustainability at Dangote Cement Plc, will address investment outlook and sustainable industrial development. - Abderrahim Taibi, general director of IMANOR, will cover Morocco’s technical, environmental and carbon performance standards for cement. - A financing panel will be led by Jihane Errachidi of Al Ajial Holding, with Clovis AYEMOU of the African Development Bank and Thomas Pellerin of IFC, World Bank Group. - The panel will examine green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, renewable energy financing, risk-sharing mechanisms and bankability conditions for low-carbon projects. - LC3 and calcined clay will feature prominently through presentations from Ovic Mbi Mabiala of CIMPOR Côte d'Ivoire, Ismail Acar of CIMPOR Ghana and Khalid Iben Khayat of YESHI Group. - Kiranmai Sanagavarapu of Fuller Technologies will address why lab-scale clinker substitution rates often do not match full-scale plant performance. - A CBAM-focused panel will include Philippe Richart, Ayman Benkhalil of CIMAT/CIMAF and Dan Maleski of EY. - That discussion will cover carbon reporting, the EU Emissions Trading System, emissions performance, green financing and export opportunities for lower-carbon cement. - Oliver M. Kirubai of Amson Industries Tanzania will discuss East African market conditions, energy and logistics challenges, operational efficiency and circularity. - Dr. David Canabate of Auto Chartering SA will address West African shipping and port development. - Juan Villarraga of EP Power Minerals will discuss changing trade flows and supply-chain risks for cementitious materials. - Imane Hanafi of MCM SGTM-SOMAGEC JV will discuss procurement, performance requirements and adoption of low-carbon cement in Moroccan infrastructure. - Technology presentations will cover combustion optimization, cement performance solutions, hydrogen-utilization technology, alternative fuels, LC3, oxy-fuel and CCUS. - Abdelilah Chater of Novacim will moderate the afternoon session on 11 November. - A senior representative from CNBM Equipment Group Co. will also present.

Between the lines: - The summit’s speaker list shows how African cement has moved beyond a purely industrial conversation. - Financing, regulation, logistics and export competitiveness now sit alongside kiln efficiency and alternative fuels. - CBAM gives the event a clear trade-policy angle, since carbon intensity is becoming a market-access issue as well as an environmental one. - The focus on LC3 and calcined clay suggests strong interest in lower-clinker pathways that can scale without requiring a total plant rebuild.

What’s next: - The Casablanca summit will test whether African producers, lenders and technology providers can align on practical financing models for low-carbon expansion. - Discussions on CBAM, green bonds, renewable energy and industrial performance are likely to shape follow-up investments and partnerships after the event. - Organizers say the summit will examine how the industry can reconcile production growth with financing constraints, carbon regulation and the economics of low-carbon manufacturing. - More information is available here.

The bottom line: - Africa’s cement sector is trying to grow and decarbonize at the same time, and Casablanca will serve as a key meeting point for the money, policy and technology needed to do both.