LAMU, Kenya — Africa's industrial ambitions took a historic leap on Wednesday as President William Ruto of Kenya and Aliko Dangote, President/CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, led continental leaders in breaking ground on a $16 billion petroleum refinery and petrochemicals complex in Lamu, Kenya.
The Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals will process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, serving markets across Eastern Africa.
Dangote confirmed the project would be delivered within 40 months, with equipment and technical resources already being mobilised.
“This will be one of the fastest major projects undertaken by the Group,” Dangote said, citing lessons from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos.
He added that, “We want to demonstrate that African businesses can execute complex industrial projects at a globally competitive scale and speed.”
The project places local participation at its core. Qualified Lamu graduates will be offered direct employment opportunities, while over 1,000 young people from host communities will receive technical and vocational training. A dedicated training school will develop skills for construction and refinery operations.
"We want young Kenyans and East Africans with skills here. We want local businesses to become suppliers. We want entrepreneurs around this project.
“Industrialisation must have a human face. It must create dignity, jobs, opportunities and hope,” Dangote said.
President Ruto projected approximately 60,000 direct and indirect jobs, with the construction phase alone injecting over KSh2 billion monthly in wages. The complex will also generate up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity and include polypropylene and base oil production.
In a landmark move toward economic integration, Dangote announced that 30% equity in the refinery is being offered to East African countries. Kenya and Rwanda have already moved to participate.
“This refinery is not simply about one country. It is about a region,” Dangote said, noting the project will serve Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, the DRC and beyond.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo praised Dangote as a champion of African industrialisation, highlighting his evolution from trading into large-scale manufacturing.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni backed the regional equity model, while Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the refinery would strengthen East Africa's energy security.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy condemned attempts to halt the project through court action, insisting residents would not allow development prospects to be undermined. He called for responsible development protecting Lamu's mangroves, fishing grounds and cultural heritage.
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