MOKOWE, LAMU COUNTY — Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and President William Ruto have broken ground on the proposed $16 billion (about KSh 2 trillion) Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery, marking a major step towards expanding the region’s fuel production capacity.
The facility is designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily, with projected production of more than 100 million litres of petrol, diesel and jet fuel for Kenya and seven neighbouring countries.
The ceremony brought together African leaders and dignitaries, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Togolese President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové, Beninese President Romuald Wadagni and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Their attendance underscored the project’s regional significance and its ambition to strengthen economic cooperation across the continent.
Dangote is offering a combined 30 per cent ownership stake to participating East African countries, with Kenya among the prospective shareholders. The arrangement aims to give regional partners a direct interest in the refinery and its long-term development.
By refining crude oil locally, the project is expected to reduce reliance on imported finished petroleum products and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves. These savings could support the Kenyan shilling and help cushion consumers against volatility in international fuel markets.
The development is projected to create more than 60,000 jobs, stimulate activity at the Port of Lamu and generate opportunities for transporters, contractors and local suppliers. It is also expected to produce cooking gas and inputs for fertiliser manufacturing.
Construction is expected to take three to five years, with the refinery positioning Lamu as a major regional energy and industrial hub.
“We want to see more ships leaving African shores carrying products made in Africa by Africans for Africa, consumed by the world,” Dangote said, outlining his vision for greater African manufacturing and trade.