South African cement firm PPC plans to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo with a $200 million factory, its chief executive said.
This cement plant is part of PPC's drive to boost sales outside its home market. The company plans to make at least 40 percent of its sales outside South Africa by 2016.
The 1 million tonne factory in the DRC comes alongside similar projects in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
"By the last quarter of 2015 we should begin cement production almost simultaneously in Ethiopia, Rwanda and the DRC. Zimbabwe will probably be six to nine months later," chief executive Ketso Gordhan told Reuters.
South Africa s top cement maker is also looking at opportunities in Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi, although it does not have any firm expansion plans yet, he said.
PPC on Thursday reported an 18 percent drop in first-half profit, hit by charges related to a black empowerment deal in Zimbabwe.
