In brief
In Kandahar, Afghanistan unveiled a new $113 million cement factory that can produce 1,500 tonnes a day, with a future capacity of 5,000 tonnes. The Xinhua report and a brief statement from a Pajhwok‑covered speaker outline varied emphases on current output, future plans, and broader industrial goals.
On Thursday evening, October 30, 2026, Afghanistan opened its first large‑scale cement plant in the southern province of Kandahar, marking a milestone in the country’s industrial development. The ceremony brought together local government officials, industry representatives, and international observers, all underscoring the significance of the new facility for Afghanistan’s post‑conflict rebuilding program.
According to the state‑run news agency Xinhua, the plant sits on 100 acres and cost about $113 million. Sayed Sarwar Amani, head of the Kandahar Chamber of Mines and Industries, said the facility’s current capacity is 1,500 tonnes of cement per day, with a planned expansion to 5,000 tonnes as production ramps up. He added that the factory currently employs roughly 1,000 workers, a number expected to grow alongside the increased output. Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar addressed the event, pledging continued government support and urging industrialists and investment firms to commit capital to Afghanistan’s manufacturing sector.
In the same Xinhua report, government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid noted that construction of another cement plant had begun in the Jabal Saraj district of eastern Parwan province. He said the administration will continue building more factories across the war‑torn country in an effort to achieve self‑sufficiency in cement production, a key material for infrastructure projects.
A brief statement from a speaker covered by Pajhwok, under a piece titled “IEA seeks to transform Afghanistan from consumer…,” added another perspective. At the same inauguration, the person leading the first phase of the Shorandam Cement Factory in Kandahar said Afghanistan should meet its own needs through domestic production. Though the Pajhwok commentary remains short, it emphasizes the IEA’s interest in encouraging local manufacturing and reducing reliance on imported building materials.
While both reports confirm the plant’s opening and its daily output, the Xinhua source provides more detailed figures on cost, workforce, and future expansion plans, whereas the Pajhwok piece focuses on the broader implication of self‑sufficiency and international investment efforts. Neither account disputes the other; instead, each highlights a different aspect of the development.
In context, Afghanistan’s push for industrialization has been hampered by years of conflict and limited foreign investment. The inauguration of the Kandahar plant is therefore seen by officials as a tangible sign of progress—one that could stimulate job creation, supply local construction needs, and thus support regional stability. The new factory also represents a strategic effort to diversify the country’s economy beyond mining and agriculture.
Local economic analysts note that the facility’s current capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day aligns with the present demand for cement in the region, but the planned expansion to 5,000 tonnes will position the plant to serve a broader market as infrastructure projects accelerate. They also point out that maintaining a workforce of around 1,000 workers will not only provide livelihoods during construction but also create a skilled labor base that could attract further investment.
For investors, the joint statements from Xinhua and Pajhwok suggest a welcoming environment, with governmental support and clear signs of future expansion. The government’s mention of additional plants under construction implies openness to further industrial projects, potentially including cement production in other provinces.
As the plant begins full operation, observers from across the international community will likely monitor its output, profitability, and impact on Afghanistan’s broader reconstruction efforts. The event in Kandahar signals a clear intent: to move from dependency on imported building materials toward a self‑contained, diversified industrial economy.
