Bamburi Cement Appoints Geoffrey Ndugwa as CEO Following Amsons Group Takeover

Bamburi Cement Plc has confirmed the appointment of Geoffrey Ndugwa as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2026. The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for the regional cement giant, following the successful conclusion of a multi-billion shilling acquisition by the Tanzanian conglomerate, Amsons Group.

Ndugwa takes the helm from Mohit Kapoor, who has completed his tenure at the firm. During his time as the outgoing CEO, Kapoor was credited with stabilizing the business during a complex transition period and overseeing a strategic turnaround that prepared the company for its new ownership structure.

The appointment was announced by the Bamburi Board Chairman, Dr. John Simba, who noted that Ndugwa is expected to drive sustainable profitability. The new CEO is not a stranger to the company’s operations, having previously served as the Commercial Director and General Manager for Bamburi Special Products.

His return to the firm is viewed as a strategic move to leverage his deep understanding of the local market and his previous experience in product development and marketing. Ndugwa, a Chartered Marketer with postgraduate qualifications from the UK Chartered Institute of Marketing, is expected to focus on operational efficiency and market growth as competition in the sector intensifies.

The transition follows the December 2024 takeover by Amsons Industries (K) Ltd, which acquired a 96.54% stake in the company. This acquisition marked one of the largest cross-border deals in the East African construction sector, with the Tanzanian group paying approximately KES 65 per share.

Amsons Group, led by Managing Director Edha Nahdi, has been aggressively expanding its footprint in Kenya. Beyond the Bamburi acquisition, the group is currently overseeing the construction of a clinker facility in Kwale County capable of producing 5,000 tonnes per day. The project is estimated to create more than 1,000 direct jobs for the locals.

While the company’s shares were previously suspended on the Nairobi Securities Exchange to facilitate the squeeze-out of minority shareholders, the focus has now shifted to internal restructuring. The board underwent significant changes early last year following the resignation of directors nominated by Holcim, the previous majority shareholder.

Dr. Simba expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating that the board had stepped up efforts in human capital development to maintain Bamburi’s position as a leading manufacturer. The company remains a critical player in supporting President Ruto’s infrastructure agenda, providing essential materials for major housing and road projects across the country.

The outgoing CEO, Kapoor, was thanked for his leadership during what the board described as a unique phase of business transition. Ndugwa’s immediate mandate will involve integrating Bamburi into the broader Amsons Group portfolio, which operates across Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, and Mozambique.

Industry analysts suggest that the new CEO will need to navigate a landscape of rising fuel prices and logistical costs that have recently impacted the wider construction industry. However, the backing of a Pan-African conglomerate like Amsons is expected to provide the necessary capital to scale operations.