Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that plans to develop what is expected to become East Africa’s largest oil refinery will move forward in Lamu through a partnership with Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote. According to the Kenyan government, the proposed refinery is intended to strengthen regional energy security, reduce dependence on imported refined petroleum products, and support industrial growth across East Africa. The project is expected to create approximately 60,000 jobs during its development and operation while supplying refined fuel products to eight African countries, positioning Kenya as a major regional energy hub.
Speaking about the initiative, President Ruto said the refinery represents a strategic investment in Africa’s energy future and economic transformation. According to official statements from the Presidency, the project is designed to enhance regional value addition by refining petroleum products closer to African markets rather than relying heavily on overseas imports. The Kenyan government believes the investment will stimulate industrialization, create employment opportunities, and strengthen energy resilience for countries across the region.
The refinery will be developed in Lamu, a coastal region whose port infrastructure is viewed as an important gateway for regional trade and logistics. Company officials from Dangote Industries have confirmed that the site has been selected, geotechnical studies are underway, and engineering and design work has begun. Edwin Devakumar, Vice President for Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries, stated, “The site has been selected, soil tests are under way, and design and engineering work has commenced.” He added that Kenya was identified early as the preferred location for the company’s major refining investment in East Africa.
Dangote Industries has indicated that the proposed refinery will have a planned processing capacity of about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it the largest refining facility in East Africa. The company expects construction to take approximately three years. According to company officials, financing is expected to come through a combination of internally generated funds, bond financing, and proceeds from a future public offering, reflecting the company’s long-term strategy to expand fuel-processing capacity across the African continent.
The Kenyan government says the project aligns with its broader vision of strengthening regional economic integration through infrastructure and industrial investment. Once operational, the refinery is expected to improve the availability of refined petroleum products within East Africa, lower transportation costs associated with fuel imports, and enhance supply reliability for neighboring countries. Officials also expect the investment to support economic activity across multiple sectors, including construction, logistics, manufacturing, and professional services, while generating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The announcement underscores growing collaboration between African governments and private sector investors to expand strategic infrastructure capable of supporting long-term economic growth. If completed as planned, the Lamu refinery would represent one of the continent’s largest energy infrastructure investments and a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen Africa’s refining capacity and regional energy independence.
