Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has revealed plans to build a 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery in East Africa, marking a major step in expanding his refining operations beyond Nigeria.
Speaking at the Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, organised by the Africa Finance Corporation, Dangote said his company is prepared to replicate the scale and success of its Lagos refinery in the region—provided there is strong backing from governments.
The proposal comes as East African nations—including Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—intensify discussions to establish a regional refining hub in the port city of Tanga. The project is expected to process crude oil sourced from across the region, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
Dangote expressed confidence in delivering the project, pointing to his experience building the massive refinery in Lagos. He noted that once agreements are finalised, construction could be completed within four to five years.
He also disclosed that expansion is already underway in Nigeria to scale up refining capacity to about 1.4 million barrels per day—potentially making it the largest refinery in the world and a major contributor to global refining output.
Highlighting the need for self-sufficiency, Dangote warned that Africa’s heavy reliance on imported fuel exposes economies to global price shocks. He cited recent spikes in petrochemical prices as a clear example of the risks tied to import dependence.
The industrialist added that the planned refinery would not only strengthen energy security but also unlock investment opportunities across the continent. He revealed plans to allow African investors to participate in the refinery business, offering returns in dollars.
Meanwhile, William Ruto confirmed that talks are ongoing to develop a joint refinery project in Tanga, supported by regional partnerships and infrastructure such as a pipeline linking Kenya’s Mombasa to Tanzania.
Data shows that around 75% of refined petroleum products in East and Southern Africa are currently imported, mostly from the Middle East—making the region vulnerable to supply disruptions and global market volatility.
Dangote’s expansion strategy builds on the success of his Lagos refinery, which began operations in 2024 and is already positioned as Africa’s largest. In addition to refining, he announced plans to establish about 20 fertiliser blending plants across Africa by 2028, further strengthening industrial capacity on the continent.
Experts believe that if realised, the East African refinery could significantly reshape Africa’s energy landscape by reducing reliance on imports and boosting regional economic growth.
- Dangote Refinery