Bank of Africa-Bénin, the BOAD, and the Société des Ciments du Bénin signed a guarantee document for a loan agreement on 1 October 2026. This financial arrangement supports the expansion of the SCB factory located in Sèmè-Podji. The formal signing ceremony marked the official commencement of the financing process, bringing together representatives from the banking sector and the industrial firm to solidify the terms of the investment.
Regarding the initiative, Sandra Amichia, BOAD resident representative in Benin, described the agreement as "une étape symbolique." She noted that "les plus hautes autorités du Bénin ont défini un plan d’action gouvernemental dans lequel l’industrialisation du pays occupe une place de choix." Abdel Mumin Zampalegre, Director General of BOA-Bénin, characterized the signing as an "acte fort." The agreement formalizes the participation of these institutions in the industrial project, which aims to increase production capacity at the Sèmè-Podji site. This collaboration represents a coordinated effort to align the financial support of banking institutions with the specific operational objectives of the factory.
Industrial Expansion and Capacity
The new factory unit includes a grinding facility with a capacity of one million tonnes. This expansion project aims to enhance the output of the Société des Ciments du Bénin, which was founded in 1967. The company currently produces the Ciment Bouclier brand for the local market. The integration of the new grinding facility is designed to streamline the production process at the Sèmè-Podji site, ensuring that the facility can meet the evolving requirements of its industrial operations.
Abdel Mumin Zampalegre, Director General of BOA-Bénin, described the project’s impact on local supply, stating, "il s’agit d’une extension d’une industrie cimentière qui fournira du ciment de qualité en abondance au public béninois." By expanding the physical infrastructure at the site, the project seeks to bolster the availability of construction materials supplied by the company.
Financial institutions provided 33.2 billion FCFA to support the expansion of the SCB factory. This capital injection is earmarked for the development of the new grinding unit and the necessary upgrades to the existing facility. Armand Chobli, Financial Director, noted that the company "a toujours cru en l’avenir du Bénin." Regarding the broader economic role of the industrial site, Chobli identified the expansion as "un moteur de croissance." The commitment of these funds follows the established agreement signed by Bank of Africa-Bénin, the BOAD, and the Société des Ciments du Bénin on 1 October 2026. The capital provided by the participating institutions serves as the primary financial foundation for the project, enabling the Société des Ciments du Bénin to proceed with the planned industrial upgrades at the Sèmè-Podji location. The company, which has been operational since 1967, continues to focus on the production of the Ciment Bouclier brand as it implements this capacity increase.
