Dangote Chooses Kenya Over Tanzania for Planned East African Oil Refinery

Nairobi, July 8, 2026 - Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote has announced that his planned East African oil refinery will be built in Kenya instead of Tanzania, ending months of speculation over the location of the multibillion-dollar project.

The refinery is expected to be constructed on Lamu Island and will have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it the largest refinery in East Africa and among the biggest on the African continent. Construction is projected to take approximately 30 months.

Once completed, the facility is expected to supply refined petroleum products to Kenya and neighboring countries, strengthening regional energy security, reducing reliance on imported fuel, and supporting Kenya's ambition to become a regional petroleum trading hub. The project is also expected to generate thousands of jobs during construction and operation.

The decision follows discussions between Dangote and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, during which the businessman reportedly cited technical and commercial considerations for selecting Kenya. The project builds on Dangote's broader strategy to expand Africa's refining capacity following the launch of his refinery in Lagos, Nigeria.