An investigation by Verity News has uncovered a leaked internal directive from CEMENCO, revealing plans to increase cement prices by 0.25% effective July 7, 2025.
This increment lacks official approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry according to a senior official who spoke to this paper but preferred anonymity.
According to a well-placed source within the company, Managing Director Mr. William Ph. Gaignard has instructed CEMENCO’s commercial department to raise the distributor price of cement.
The adjustment would see the price of the 32.5R grade increase from $7.50 to $7.75, and the 42.5N grade climb from $8.10 to $8.35, a move representing a 0.25% increase across the board.
While Mr. Gaignard is said to have assured staff that the price revision was authorized by the Ministry of Commerce, Republic of Liberia, Verity has independently confirmed through internal sources that no such approval was granted.
In further justification, Mr. Gaignard reportedly told staff that CEMENCO’s competitors are also implementing similar price increases, implying industry-wide coordination.
However, this revelation has risen red flags within regulatory and consumer advocacy circles, prompting concerns about possible price-fixing and anti-competitive behavior in Liberia’s cement market.
Sources inside CEMENCO have linked Mr. Gaignard to what they describe as unusually close ties with competing firms, raising suspicions that he may be acting in a manner detrimental to CEMENCO’s standing. Some insiders fear these actions could weaken the company’s position or even undermine its long-term viability.
CEMENCO is a subsidiary of Heidelberg Materials, formerly the Heidelberg Cement Group, one of the world’s largest building materials companies.
“If these changes go through, ordinary Liberians will bear the cost,” said one employee who requested anonymity. “It’s already hard to build homes. This will make it worse.”
Adding another layer to the controversy, sources revealed that the pricing directive originated under the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) administration, not the current government.
The Ministry of Commerce under the new administration has reportedly not taken any such decision.
