Dangote breaks ground on $16 billion Kenya Refinery as African Leaders Rally Behind Industrial Vision.

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, joined Kenyan President William Ruto and several African leaders on Tuesday to break ground on a $16 billion, 700,000 barrel per day refinery in Lamu County, Kenya. The facility, scheduled for completion in 40 months, will become East Africa's largest refinery and one of the continent's biggest industrial projects, creating approximately 60,000 jobs during construction.

Among those who personally attended the historic event were Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Togolese President Jean Lucien Savi de Tové, Beninese President Romuald Wadagni, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, were also present. Several East African nations, including Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Tanzania, sent representatives.

Addressing the gathering, Dangote described the project as "Africa coming together to build Africa." He emphasised that the continent must end its long standing dependence on exporting raw materials and importing finished products. "For too long, our continent has been rich in resources but poor in value creation," he said. "We have exported crude oil and imported refined products. Such practice only leads to exporting our jobs and importing poverty into our nations."

The billionaire businessman revealed that a vessel carrying about 400 pieces of construction equipment is expected to dock at Lamu Port within 60 days, while 110 pieces were delivered last week. He also announced plans to establish a training school for engineers in Lamu, ensuring that qualified Kenyans are employed throughout the project rather than relying on foreign expertise.

The integrated industrial complex will include a 1,000 megawatt power plant, plastics manufacturing, fertiliser production, and chemical facilities. Dangote explained that the deep water Lamu port was a key factor in selecting the location, as it can accommodate large vessels transporting crude oil. The project was initially proposed for Tanzania's Tanga region before being moved to Kenya.

President Ruto urged Dangote to complete the project within the announced timeline, describing the refinery as a landmark investment that would transform Kenya's energy and industrial landscape. He projected a 12 percent boost to Kenya's economy, $4 billion in annual foreign direct investment during construction, and the anchoring of the Lamu Port South Sudan and Ethiopia Transport corridor.

Uganda's Museveni welcomed the project but made clear that Uganda would still build its own smaller refinery and maintain cooperation with Tanzania on the Tanga corridor. "There is no harm in having more refineries in the region. What Africa needs is value addition, industrialisation, and bigger integrated markets," he said.

Obasanjo recalled how French company Lafarge tried to block Dangote's cement business, praising him for persevering. "Lafarge wanted Aliko not to produce cement in Africa. They wanted to monopolise. Lafarge is now out of Africa," he said.

Honeywell Technologies has been selected to provide engineering services, licensing, and equipment in a deal worth approximately $300 million. The company said Dangote's established designs could reduce the development schedule by nearly two years, almost 30 percent sooner than typical new facilities. The refinery will process a wide variety of crude oils and produce gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and polypropylene.