Aliko Dangote to launch Kenya oil refinery amid land protest in Lamu
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and Kenyan President William Ruto have launched a $16 billion oil refinery project in Lamu, Kenya. Despite local protests regarding land compensation, officials maintain the project is a major step toward African industrial self-sufficiency.
Why it matters
As the largest industrial project in East Africa, the refinery represents a significant shift in regional energy infrastructure and economic policy.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Nkechi Ogbonna , Waihiga Mwaura , BBC Focus on Africa , Peter Mwangangi , BBC Swahili and Ondiro Oganga Getty Images Aliko Dangote made his fortune in cement before branching into oil Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and Kenya's President William Ruto have broken ground on a $16bn (£12bn) oil refinery in Lamu, on Kenya's northern coast.
Upon completion, the refinery is expected to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil a day, making it East Africa's largest industrial project by capacity.
Ahead of the launch, some local residents took to the streets to demand more compensation for land used for the refinery.
Speaking to the BBC, Dangote, Africa's richest man, dismissed the protests as games played by local marketers and international players, insisting the refinery would go ahead and would be ready by 2030 as planned.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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