Aliko Dangote has disclosed plans to site a major oil refinery project in East Africa, with Kenya emerging as the preferred location for the proposed development.
The billionaire industrialist revealed that he is considering Kenya for the construction of a 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, a move that would significantly expand refining capacity in the East African region and deepen cross-border energy investments on the continent.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that Dangote made the disclosure in an interview cited by the Financial Times, noting that the project forms part of his broader strategy to replicate large-scale, integrated energy infrastructure across Africa.
If executed, the refinery would rank among the largest in Africa, positioning Kenya as a strategic refining and distribution hub for petroleum products serving East and Central African markets.
Industry analysts say the proposed investment could reshape fuel supply dynamics in the region, reduce reliance on imported refined products and stimulate downstream industrial activity, including logistics, petrochemicals and employment generation.
While timelines and financing structures have yet to be finalised, the potential project underscores Dangote’s growing influence in Africa’s energy sector following the launch of his flagship refinery in Nigeria.
Kenyan authorities have not yet issued an official response, but observers say the project, if confirmed, would represent one of the most significant private-sector energy investments in the country’s history.
