The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) has called for any renewed consideration of the Whale Rock Cement-Schwenk Namibia transaction involving Ohorongo Cement to undergo transparent stakeholder scrutiny following a High Court decision reinstating the competition regulator’s prohibition of the deal.
CIF said any future consideration should include a full assessment of the potential impact on cement prices, security of supply, market access, Namibian-owned contractors, SMEs, employment, public infrastructure projects and consumers.
The call follows the High Court’s 1 October decision setting aside the ministerial determination that had overturned the Namibia Competition Commission’s (NaCC) decision prohibiting the proposed merger.
The judgment leaves the NaCC’s July 2025 determination blocking the transaction in full force and effect.
CIF Chief Executive Officer Bärbel Kirchner said the federation welcomed the clarity provided by the judgment, arguing that the implications of the transaction extended beyond the companies involved.
“Our position has always been that cement is too important to Namibia’s construction sector and infrastructure development to be considered only as a commercial transaction between the parties,” Kirchner said.
“The broader public interest, competition, fair access, employment and long-term construction capacity must remain central considerations.”
CIF was a co-applicant in the High Court proceedings alongside ITE Products and Pharaoh Cement.
The federation said it joined the challenge because of concerns about the potential consequences of the transaction for contractors, SMEs, suppliers, infrastructure delivery and employment.
CIF said a survey of its members following the ministerial approval identified concerns around cement pricing, supply reliability, preferential supply terms and fair and non-discriminatory access.
Members also raised concerns about the potential impact on Namibian-owned contractors and SMEs if higher input costs reduced their competitiveness.
CIF maintained that its position was not directed against any particular company, investor or nationality, but was focused on the structure and competitiveness of Namibia’s cement market.
The federation said it will continue engaging the government, NaCC and industry stakeholders on maintaining competition and transparency in the cement market.
