In brief
In Kandahar province, Afghanistan opened its first large‑scale cement plant, costing $113 million and employing about 1,000 people. The facility, set to expand to 5,000 tons a day, is part of a broader strategy that already includes a new plant in Parwan province. Government officials urged further investment to support the nation's construction and industrial development.
A Kandahar ceremony on 29 October marked the opening of Afghanistan’s first large‑scale cement production plant, a move that could reshape the country’s construction industry and reduce the need for imported concrete materials.
The new facility spans roughly 100 acres and was built on a $113 million investment. Its current production capacity is 1,500 tons of cement per day, with plans to expand the output to 5,000 tons as demand rises and the factory’s infrastructure matures, according to Sayed Sarwar Amani, head of the Kandahar Chamber of Mines and Industries.
Employment numbers point to significant social impact. Nearly 1,000 workers are already employed at the plant, and that figure is expected to grow as the operation scales up. The plant’s location in southern Afghanistan also brings the prospect of reduced freight costs for building materials, potentially lowering construction prices across the country.
The Kandahar venture comes alongside a new construction project in Jabal Saraj district of eastern Parwan province, launched in July. The Parwan plant is already under construction and part of the same national strategy to achieve self‑sufficiency in cement production. Officials say additional plants will follow, with government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announcing plans for further factories to replace imports and stimulate local industry.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar addressed the inauguration, pledging government support for investment in the industrial sector and encouraging private and foreign investors to participate. "We will continue to build more cement factories in the war‑torn country," Mujahid said, underscoring the state’s commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities.
While the new plant delivers economic and logistical gains, environmental observers note that cement manufacturing is energy‑intensive and a major source of CO₂ emissions worldwide. The government has called for cleaner production methods, though specific data on the plant’s emission controls or energy mix were not disclosed in the official statements. Sustainability measures, such as sourcing local limestone and using alternative fuels, will be crucial for keeping the national carbon footprint in check as the cement sector grows. The context of Afghanistan’s reconstruction offers an opportunity for integrating embodied carbon reduction strategies alongside industrial progress.
