Trade Minister Rules Out Lifting Cement Tariffs, Citing Need to Protect Local Industry

By Fatou Sillah

The Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, Mod K. Ceesay, said on Tuesday that the government would not remove tariffs on imported cement despite persistent shortages, arguing that the policy is essential to protecting nascent domestic cement production.

“I don’t envisage any immediate removal of permanent tariffs on cement,” he said.

Instead of scrapping the tariff, the minister said the government has opted for a temporary reduction in excise duty as a stopgap measure. The excise levy on cement has been cut from 180 dalasis to 30 dalasis, a rate that will remain in effect for now, he said.

“What we have is a temporary reduction of the excise duty on cement from 180 to 30 Dalasi, and it will remain so,” Mr. Ceesay said.

He described the decision as part of a broader protection regime aimed at supporting emerging local cement factories, which the government views as critical to long-term self-sufficiency and job creation. “We are committed to the protection measures adopted to support our upcoming cement factories,” he said. “That is the policy direction.”

Mr. Ceesay added that the current arrangement would stay in place unless the government issues new guidance, signaling little appetite for a near-term policy shift even as supply constraints continue to affect the construction sector. “It will remain so until there is guidance or a directive,” he said.