RockCem Ltd is building a vertically integrated cement operation in Sierra Leone, combining nationwide logistics, local grinding capacity, and solar-powered industrial processing. In 2021, RockCem Ltd entered Sierra Leone’s cement market with a single imported vessel and no prior operating experience in construction materials.
Five years later, the company manages nationwide cement distribution through an in-house logistics network, employs more than 500 workers across direct and indirect operations, and is developing a grinding mill in Freetown that will run primarily on solar power.
Chief Executive Officer, Bilal Hijazi developed his entrepreneurial foundation through early exposure to his family’s industrial businesses, which spanned carbonated beverages and packaging operations.
This environment introduced him to large-scale production systems, operational efficiency, supply chain management, and business development principles that later guided his transition into construction materials. “I had zero knowledge about construction and construction materials,” he recalls.
“I was much less experienced with the whole construction business”. Having joined his father’s business at the age of seven, Hijazi spent his formative years immersed in manufacturing operations, shaping his understanding of production processes before identifying cement shortages in Freetown and establishing an independent venture in Sierra Leone.
The company now plans to shift from importation to local industrial processing by installing a vertical grinding mill supplied by a German manufacturer. The grinding mill has a production capacity of around 100 metric tons per hour and includes a two-megawatt solar installation.
“The solar system will generate between 70% and 80% of the electricity consumed by the grinding operation,” Hijazi says.
The development represents a major milestone in RockCem’s evolution from importer to industrial producer, strengthening supply security while supporting Sierra Leone’s development. “Sierra Leone is one of the few countries that still imports finished cement, including bagged cement,” Hijazi says.
“Completing this grinding mill in Freetown is my main target right now because local production changes the entire supply chain.”
One of RockCem’s defining strengths is overcoming logistical challenges that often constrain business growth across West Africa. Recognising that reliable transportation and distribution remain critical obstacles, the company built its own logistics infrastructure rather than relying on third-party providers.
“We currently operate around 50 trucks that distribute cement across Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone,” Hijazi says. Distribution operates through direct delivery to wholesalers and retailers, allowing RockCem to maintain product availability and strengthen customer relationships. Hijazi links this approach to customer retention, delivery efficiency, and wider geographic reach across Sierra Leone’s construction market.
The company’s expansion coincided with government intervention in cement pricing.
In April 2025, Sierra Leone introduced a price ceiling on cement. Hijazi describes the government’s engagement with cement operators as consultative rather than unilateral. Officials regularly convene industry participants to discuss pricing pressures linked to fuel costs and global economic conditions,” he says. RockCem’s growth also tracks wider construction activity in Sierra Leone.
Hijazi points to land allocation initiatives managed by the Ministry of Lands, which provide individuals with access to plots for future development.
“Those programs create downstream demand for cement and construction materials because land ownership increases the likelihood of residential or commercial building activity,” he says. Government grant mechanisms have therefore expanded participation in the housing and construction market.
The transition from cement imports to local processing carries foreign exchange implications for Sierra Leone’s economy. Imported finished cement requires hard currency outflows, while local grinding operations shift more stages of production into the domestic market. “The grinding mill will reduce reliance on imported finished products once operations begin, ” Hijazi says.
Combined with RockCem’s expanding logistics network and commitment to innovation, the facility is expected to improve product availability and position the company as a key contributor to Sierra Leone’s construction sector.
Hijazi frames the company’s trajectory as evidence of commercial opportunities for younger African entrepreneurs in underserved sectors. “There are market gaps across several industries for investors willing to conduct detailed commercial analysis and enter sectors with supply shortage,” he says. Today, RockCem is entering its next phase of growth, with investments in local manufacturing, renewable energy integration, workforce expansion, and nationwide distribution.
The company has submitted documentation for an additional 500 employees as part of its expansion. This would bring total employment above 1,000 workers as RockCem builds a fully integrated cement operation designed to support Sierra Leone’s long-term industrial development.
Credit: Forbes Africa
