President William Ruto has revealed that he held a phone call with Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote on plans to develop an oil refinery in East Africa.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast held at Safari Park Hotel, Ruto confirmed that discussions with Dangote helped shape Kenya’s direction toward establishing a regional refinery project.
“I had a chat with Mr. Dangote yesterday, and he was telling me how much resistance has been built by the people we are buying fuel from now because they want us to continue buying their fuel, said Ruto.
Dangote proposed a $15 billion-$17 billion refinery project in East Africa, and Mombasa emerged as the best location because of its strategic access to crude supplies, deep-water port infrastructure, and Kenya’s demand.
Resistance From Fuel Import Systems
According to Ruto, one of the key issues raised in discussions with Dangote was pushback from existing global fuel suppliers who benefit from Africa’s continued dependence on imported oil products.
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He noted that the suppliers resist changes that could reduce their dependence on imports from African countries.
Despite the resistance, Ruto emphasized that Kenya must prioritize structural transformation in its energy sector, even when it involves short-term economic or political discomfort, by making an informed decision.
“But we have to make those decisions that will change our country, that will transform our country, and I want to tell you some of the time we have to forego convenience, temporary convenience for long-term transformation. And that’s how we are going to build this great nation,” added Ruto.
East African Oil Refinery to start in 2026
According to Ruto, Kenya has found a mechanism to refine its oil from Turkana and from other parts of the region.
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The head of state dispatched his team about six months ago to assess refinery opportunities in other regions. The team examined existing models and engagements, including the large-scale refinery operated by Dangote.
Ruto has engaged regional leaders, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, in discussions to have a shared oil refinery for East African countries. The Est African leaders agreed that they will start an oil refinery this year.
“We have found the mechanism how to get our field in Turkana and those in the rest of the region to be refined here in our region. When I sent my team about six months ago to look around, they came across Ali Kodangote and what he’s doing. They came back to me and I reached out to President Museveni and I have reached out to colleagues in this region, and we have agreed and this year we are going to start building the refinery here,” added Ruto.
Museveni, in a statement on May 17, confirmed discussions with industrialist Aliko Dangote on the proposed East African regional oil refinery during a meeting held at Nakasero.
He stated that Uganda has consistently opposed the export of raw materials without value addition, noting that the country delayed oil production to prioritize the establishment of a refinery.
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