Kenya has confirmed that Nigerian billionaire and owner of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, will break ground on September 30, 2026, for the construction of a 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu.
The project, estimated at Sh2.2 trillion, is expected to position Kenya as a major petroleum-processing hub in East Africa and reduce the region’s dependence on imported refined fuel.
Dangote reportedly announced the date during a meeting with Botswana President Duma Boko in Gaborone. A Kenyan government statement quoted him as saying, “We are launching it on September 30.”
The refinery is expected to take about three years to complete and will supply petroleum products to Kenya and neighbouring countries, including Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
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The Lamu project would represent Dangote’s largest refining investment outside Nigeria, following the establishment of his 650,000–700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lagos.
Preliminary activities, including site selection, soil testing, engineering and design work, had reportedly commenced by July.
The wider project is expected to create about 60,000 jobs and include supporting facilities for energy, manufacturing, storage and logistics.
Kenyan President William Ruto’s administration has backed the investment, with plans for a 1,000-megawatt power plant and a special economic zone around the refinery.
Dangote has also offered Kenya a 10 per cent stake valued at about $500 million, while proposing a combined 30 per cent stake to East African countries. Rwanda and Ethiopia have reportedly expressed interest in participating in the regional shareholding.
