Energy megaprojects fuel demand for Kenya’s skilled oil and gas workers
Large-scale energy projects in Kenya, including a major oil refinery and the South Lokichar oil development, are driving significant demand for skilled technical labor. Educational institutions are scaling up training programs to prepare workers for thousands of projected jobs.
Why it matters
The development of the oil and gas sector is expected to significantly boost Kenya's GDP and create substantial employment opportunities for technical professionals.
KPC Plc-owned Morendat National Polytechnic scales up training of certified pipeline welders to meet growing energy sector demand./HANDOUT Kenya’s ambition to establish itself as a regional petroleum hub is opening new opportunities for engineers, welders and other specialised technical professionals, as multibillion-shilling investments in oil production, refining and infrastructure gather momentum.
The Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu County and the Gulf Energy-led South Lokichar oil development project in Turkana County are emerging as major drivers of demand for skilled labour, placing renewed emphasis on local technical training and internationally recognised certification.
The Dangote refinery, whose construction was launched on September 30, is designed to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily, making it one of Africa’s largest planned refining facilities.
The integrated complex will also include a 1,000-megawatt power plant and facilities for manufacturing chemicals, plastics and fertilisers.
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