Lamu refinery: How Sh2.2 trillion project could redraw East Africa’s economic map
President William Ruto and Aliko Dangote have broken ground on a $16 billion oil refinery project in Lamu, Kenya. The facility aims to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day to lower energy costs and stimulate regional economic growth.
Why it matters
This massive infrastructure project could significantly alter the energy landscape and economic productivity of East Africa by reducing reliance on imported petroleum.
President William Ruto and President of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu County yesterday / ELLY OKWARE /PCS
For decades, East Africa has consumed billions of dollars’ worth of imported petroleum products while exporting the crude oil and other raw materials needed to power its economies.
That equation could begin to change with the construction of the Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu, a 700,000-barrel-per-day facility that is expected to become the largest refinery in East Africa and one of the biggest on the continent.
Groundbreaking of the project on Wednesday brought together President William Ruto, Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and several African leaders, signalling the wider regional ambitions attached to the investment.
For Dangote, the refinery is much more than a plant for turning crude into petrol, diesel and aviation fuel.
Also covering this story
7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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