The mission focused on understanding the role of concrete block production in Ghana’s construction sector, assessing the potential of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3), and exploring opportunities to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises operating across the highly informal blockmaking industry. Stakeholders engaged included CBI Ghana Ltd., block producers, real estate developers, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Fidelity Bank, UN-Habitat, UNOPS, the University of Ghana, Ashesi University, and representatives of the Swiss Embassy.
Ghana faces a housing deficit estimated at between 1.8 and 2 million housing units, with rapid urbanization continuing to drive demand for affordable housing. To bridge this gap, hundreds of thousands of housing units must be constructed annually, creating significant demand for construction materials, particularly concrete blocks. At the same time, the sector contributes substantially to cement consumption and associated carbon emissions.
The growing construction market presents an opportunity to introduce more sustainable production methods, improve product quality, and strengthen local enterprises. Stakeholders agreed that improving the efficiency and professionalism of block production can contribute not only to housing delivery but also to job creation, skills development, and industrial growth.
A key area of focus during the mission was LC3, a low-carbon cement technology that partially replaces imported clinker with locally produced calcined clay. As the only producer of LC3 in Ghana, CBI Ghana plays a pioneering role in advancing the technology. According to discussions during the mission, the use of LC3 could significantly reduce carbon emissions while also generating substantial foreign exchange savings by reducing Ghana’s dependence on imported clinker.
The mission revealed that awareness of LC3 remains low among block makers, developers, engineers, architects, and other key actors in the construction value chain. Many industry players continue to rely on conventional cement products, often due to limited knowledge of LC3’s performance, durability, and environmental benefits.
However, stakeholders recognized that block production could serve as an important entry point for increasing the adoption of low-carbon cement technologies. Discussions highlighted the need for demonstration projects, technical evidence, and awareness-building initiatives to increase confidence in LC3 products and encourage wider market acceptance.
Site visits across the Greater Accra Region highlighted the scale and importance of the blockmaking sector. Although largely informal and unregulated, block producers are present throughout urban and peri-urban areas and play a critical role in Ghana’s construction industry.
The mission identified three broad categories of producers: limited mechanized operators, semi-mechanized businesses, and fully mechanized producers. Most blockmakers fall within the first category, relying heavily on manual labour and aging equipment that constrains productivity and product quality.
Block makers consistently cited several barriers to growth, including:
Despite these challenges, producers expressed strong interest in receiving support to modernize their operations through improved equipment, technical training, and business development assistance.
One of the strongest outcomes of the mission was the emerging partnership between EPFL’s Center for Worldwide Sustainable Construction, Swisscontact, and CBI Ghana. The three organizations expressed a shared commitment to further explore opportunities for supporting block producers through a structured programme focused on sustainability, productivity, and enterprise development.
Stakeholders agreed that future work should focus on strengthening technical knowledge, improving product quality, expanding awareness of LC3, and supporting greater mechanization within the sector. Discussions also highlighted the importance of engaging builders, masons, developers, financial institutions, and policy actors to create an enabling ecosystem for long-term change.
The scoping mission confirmed that Ghana’s blockmaking industry presents a significant opportunity to simultaneously address housing demand, strengthen local enterprises, and support climate-friendly construction practices. While awareness of LC3 remains limited, stakeholder interest and willingness to collaborate provide a strong foundation for future action.
By bringing together industry, academia, financial institutions, development organizations, and government actors, the mission laid the groundwork for a coordinated effort to modernize block production and promote low-carbon building materials. Through continued collaboration, partners aim to support a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive construction sector capable of contributing to Ghana’s housing and climate goals.