Dangote Announces Date for Sh2.59 Trillion Lamu Refinery Groundbreaking

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has set September 30 for the groundbreaking ceremony of his proposed oil refinery and petrochemical complex in Lamu.

Dangote disclosed the date on Thursday, September 3, during an engagement with investors and analysts in Botswana, ending weeks of uncertainty over when construction of the ambitious project would officially begin.

Sh20 Billion? Investment Puts Lamu in Spotlight

The proposed refinery and petrochemical complex carries an estimated investment value of $20 billion, equivalent to about KSh2.59 trillion.

The facility is expected to target markets across East Africa and could position Lamu as an important regional centre for energy, manufacturing and logistics.

Construction is expected to start in October 2026, with the refinery projected to take up to three years to complete.

Kenya Offered 10 Percent Stake

Dangote has proposed giving East African countries a combined 30 per cent stake in the project.

Kenya has been offered a 10 per cent share valued at approximately KSh64.74 billion ($500 million).

Rwanda and Ethiopia have also expressed interest in the regional investment, potentially taking the combined East African stake to 30 per cent.

Region Could Supply Crude

President William Ruto's economic adviser David Ndii has previously outlined the potential crude supply available within the region.

He estimated that South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya could collectively provide more than 600,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

South Sudan could contribute about 350,000 barrels daily, Uganda 250,000 barrels and Kenya approximately 120,000 barrels.

Lamu Industrial Complex Planned

The refinery forms part of a wider industrial development planned for Lamu.

Kenya intends to establish a 1,000-megawatt power plant and a special economic zone around the project.

The government expects the additional infrastructure to attract manufacturers, storage companies and logistics operators to the area.

Ruto Expects Thousands of Jobs

President Ruto has previously projected that the refinery and related developments could create approximately 60,000 jobs.

The September 30 ceremony will mark an important milestone for the project as Kenya seeks to turn Lamu into a major energy and industrial hub serving the wider East African market.