AMSONS Group, a Tanzanian conglomerate with extensive holdings in energy and manufacturing, has secured regulatory approval from the COMESA Competition Commission to acquire a full 100% stake in Kenya’s Bamburi Cement PLC. The decision marks a significant development in AMSONS’ expansion strategy, as it looks to strengthen its presence across East Africa’s cement sector.
The COMESA Competition Commission, responsible for safeguarding competition in the common market, concluded that the acquisition poses no substantial risk to competition. “It is unlikely that the proposed merger will lead to the creation of a dominant position that would enable the parties to engage in unilateral conduct in the market,” the Commission said in its statement.
The Committee for Initial Determinations (CID), which examines potential market impacts of major mergers, further noted that the acquisition aligns with COMESA’s goals of enhancing trade within the region. The committee underscored that this transaction is unlikely to hinder competition but would instead support the free flow of goods and services within COMESA states.
AMSONS Group CEO Edha Nahdi celebrated the decision, noting, “The approval is a significant boost to our offer as we continue to engage investors of Bamburi Cement and remain confident that our acquisition bid will be successful. It presents a win-win scenario for the investors and our two countries.”
The approval follows AMSONS Group’s binding offer in July to acquire Bamburi Cement through its Kenyan subsidiary AMSONS Industries (K) Ltd. To facilitate the transaction, AMSONS partnered with KCB Investment Bank, signaling its commitment to building a professional presence in the Kenyan market.
Founded in the mid-2000s, AMSONS has grown into one of Tanzania’s largest family-owned businesses, employing over 10,000 people across multiple countries. Historically rooted in petroleum imports under the Camel Oil Tanzania brand, the group has expanded its operations across sectors, including manufacturing, real estate, and transport.
