Construction of the $17 billion East Africa Oil Refinery will begin after a September 30, 2026 groundbreaking in Lamu, the government says, setting in motion a project designed to expand regional refining capacity and create thousands of jobs. President William Ruto is expected to lead the ceremony, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced on X on September 22, after a meeting to finalise arrangements for security, logistics and protocol.
The facility, backed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, the Africa Finance Corporation and regional investors, is planned to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and to supply markets across East and Central Africa. Authorities expect the site to combine refining, petrochemical and industrial operations, and to form a major energy and industrial hub on Kenya’s coast.
Kenyan officials say the project could reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products and lower foreign exchange outflows, while generating about 50,000 jobs and new economic activity in Lamu and the wider Coast region. Dangote confirmed on September 3 that the groundbreaking would take place on September 30, and President Ruto met Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation chief Samaila Zubairu in New York on September 21 to discuss financing and final preparations.
Project backers have offered equity to regional partners, with a reported 30% combined stake proposed for East African countries, a package that market commentators valued at roughly $1.5 billion. Kenya has been reported to be considering a 10% stake, and other countries including Ethiopia and Rwanda have expressed interest.
Developers have projected the construction phase will take about three years to complete. Kenyan officials also anticipate the country’s oil production industry will begin operations towards the end of 2026, aligning upstream development timelines with the refinery’s early build stages.
The September 30 ceremony is expected to draw Heads of State and Government from the region and beyond, as well as local community members, with preparations now focused on ensuring the event runs smoothly and on moving the project from ceremony to construction.
