Kenya to break ground Sept 30 on $17B Dangote-backed Lamu oil refinery
Kenya’s government has finalised preparations for the September 30, 2026 groundbreaking of the East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu, with President William Ruto set to lead the ceremony. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced the readiness via his X handle on September 22, noting that security, logistics and protocol are being coordinated for the event expected to draw regional heads of state and local community members.
The refinery, estimated at $17 billion, will process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is projected to create about 50,000 jobs in Lamu and the wider Coast region. Backed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, the Africa Finance Corporation and other Kenyan and regional stakeholders, the facility aims to serve markets across East and Central Africa while reducing Kenya’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
For Nigerians, the project underscores Dangote’s expanding African refining footprint beyond Nigeria, potentially influencing regional fuel supply dynamics and opening opportunities for Nigerian businesses in the refinery’s supply chain. Will Nigerian firms seek to participate in this East African venture, or could the increased regional refining capacity affect fuel prices and competition for Dangote’s existing Nigerian refinery?