Freetown, June 4, 2025 — The Ministry of Finance has introduced a 20% import duty on all cement entering Sierra Leone in a move to curb volatile prices and secure a steady supply of the essential building material.
According to reports from Global Times, the new levy applies to all cement types, including bagged, loose, and bulk shipments.
Officials say the measure is part of a broader government strategy to stabilize the market and ensure that cement remains affordable for the public.
The decision comes on the heels of a recently implemented pricing formula designed to regulate cement prices.
The Ministry of Finance emphasized that these steps are aimed at guaranteeing consistent availability and shielding consumers from unpredictable price spikes.
Major importers — Fawaz Building Materials, Reckcem SL Limited, and Makie Cement — have assured the public that cement supplies are sufficient and have urged citizens not to engage in panic buying.
The latest policy builds on the government’s earlier efforts to manage the cement market. On April 1, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, announced revised cement prices that took into account transportation costs.
Under that pricing structure, a 50kg bag of imported cement currently ranges from SLL 170.00 to SLL 190.00 depending on the district, while LEOCEM 32.5R is priced between SLL 155.00 and SLL 175.00. These rates were determined in consultation with the Sierra Leone Drivers Union and the Sierra Leone Transport Owners Association.
Officials indicated that prices would remain subject to review should transportation or importation costs fluctuate significantly.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has called on both the public and private sectors to comply with these prices to maintain market stability and ensure fair access to cement across the country.
