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Dangote Industries Limited has commenced preliminary work on its proposed $17 billion oil refinery in Kenya, marking a major step in the company’s expansion into East Africa. The planned facility, which will have a 700,000-barrel-per-day refining capacity, is expected to become the largest refinery in East Africa and significantly reduce the region’s dependence on imported petroleum products. According to the company, the project has moved beyond the planning phase, with the site selected, soil tests underway and engineering and design work already in progress.
The refinery will be located on Lamu Island along Kenya’s coast and is expected to be completed within the next few years. Dangote Industries’ Vice President for Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, said Kenya was chosen from the outset because of its strategic location and regional market potential. The project follows commitments made by Aliko Dangote to the Presidents of Kenya and Uganda to establish a world-class refinery that will serve East Africa, replicating the success of the company’s Lagos refinery.
The Kenyan refinery is part of Dangote Group’s broader growth strategy, which also includes expanding the capacity of its Lagos refinery from 700,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028. Once both projects are completed, the company expects its combined refining capacity to reach 2.1 million barrels per day, strengthening Africa’s energy security and positioning the continent as a major hub for refined petroleum products.
