Nigerian billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote/HANDOUTNigerian billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote has said a feasibility study identified Lamu as the most suitable location for his proposed oil refinery in Kenya.
He ruled out Mombasa and Tanzania's Tanga as alternative sites.
Dangote said the decision to settle on Lamu followed an assessment of potential locations for the multibillion-dollar project, which is expected to transform Kenya's energy sector and strengthen its position as a regional petroleum hub.
“President William Ruto had said we are going to put this refinery in Tanga. He was not even looking out for his own country; he was looking out for the region,” Dangote said.
“We ran a study to find out the best location, and we realised the best location is not even Mombasa, but Lamu.”
His remarks underscore the strategic importance of the coastal county in the proposed investment, which the Kenyan government and Dangote Group have valued at Sh2 trillion.
The refinery is expected to have a processing capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day, with crude oil supplies from Kenya's Turkana oilfields and other parts of Africa.
Dangote said the investment was driven by a broader ambition to create wealth and expand Africa's industrial capacity rather than simply accumulate personal riches.
“We don't want to be rich; we want to be wealthy so that we can create wealth for our own citizens in Africa,” he said.
His comments come as the government prepares to break ground for the refinery on Wednesday, September 30, with Ruto expected to preside over the ceremony.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has confirmed that the groundbreaking will proceed as planned despite a pending court case challenging activities on part of the land earmarked for the project.
The confirmation came after the Malindi Environment and Land Court issued temporary orders requiring the parties to maintain the prevailing status quo on disputed portions of land in the Hindi/Manda Magogoni area of Lamu County.
The case was filed by Salim Tima Swale and 132 others, who are seeking to stop activities on the contested land pending the hearing and determination of their application.
Justice Jane Onyango certified the petition as urgent and ordered that the status quo on L.R. No. 13061 be maintained until October 14, 2026.
The orders temporarily prohibit clearing, excavation, fencing, demolition, construction, transfer, disposal and other interference with the occupied portions of the disputed land.
However, the court declined to grant a separate request seeking to stop the Office of the President, Dangote Industries, the Lamu County Government and other respondents from proceeding with the September 30 groundbreaking ceremony.
The refinery is expected to process crude oil from Turkana and other African producers, reducing reliance on imported refined petroleum products and strengthening regional energy supply chains.
