A new road around the Sheraton Addis Hotel opens a quick detour across aesthetically pleasing scenery. A severe shortage of cement as the 12 operational factories meet less than half of the 36 million tons demanded has caused the delay of several road projects in the country. With only a few key projects in selected areas receiving priority, the inability to juggle contractual delays are leading to constant disputes between contractors and clients. A staggering 41pc of projects administered by the Ethiopian Roads Administration operated at less than half of the planned capacity, with 20pc lacking both planning and implementation.