Managing Director, PPC CEMENT

Njombo Lekula is PPC’s Managing Director of RSA Cement and Materials Division. He is a Group Executive member in the organisation and a former member of the board of directors in the various international businesses that PPC has majority shares in, namely, PPC Zimbabwe, PPC Barnet DRC, CIMERWA Ltd in Rwanda and HABESHA Cement Share Company in Ethiopia. 

Previously the MD of PPC’s International Operations across the continent, Njombo has 30 years of cement manufacturing and executive management experience within the building and construction industry. 

His current role is to oversee and provide strategic guidance and direct PPC’s cement and materials operations in South Africa, as well as in Botswana (operations and commercial). His main focus has been to optimise and enhance operational output, whilst delivering business growth and profitability. This includes capacity expansion and optimisation, exploiting strategic synergies and exploring various alternative fuel and energy projects in the region. 

Before taking on the role of MD RSA in 2017, Njombo has held a number of leadership roles within PPC across various divisions. He thrives in changing environments, striving to build operations sustainably for the future – and leaving his signature on numerous PPC legacy projects. When he was General Manager of PPC’s Johannesburg operations for example, the team increased operational output and successfully re-commissioned a second production line that was previously mothballed in anticipation of increased demand. 

PPC Zimbabwe also saw a positive turnaround after his appointment as Managing Director in 2013. Under Njombo’s leadership, the company increased its EBITDA by 45,6% and volumes by 19%. This was achieved by optimising and streamlining the operations; driving down costs and upskilling the local team. 

Njombo has extensive experience in the management of multi-million dollar projects, including that of the construction of PPC’s $82 million dollar milling factory in Harare, Zimbabwe. He has also been instrumental in providing leadership and direction on the operational readiness of other projects leading up to the completion and commissioning of the Group’s integrated cement plants in DRC and Ethiopia. 

Njombo has a real passion for business leadership and enjoys mentoring and coaching upcoming business leaders – motivating them to make meaningful contributions and drive positive change through their actions. A source of inspiration for many at PPC and other captains of industry, he always challenges people to strive for perfection and excellence because he believes that in business, there is no room for mediocrity. 

Njombo is an engineer by profession, he studied chemical engineering. He has a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Stellenbosch Business School.