Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that his company abandoned plans to invest in Kenya’s cement sector during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration after allegedly being asked to pay bribes.
Speaking to the media ahead of the groundbreaking of the proposed Lamu refinery project on September 29, Dangote said the Dangote Group had explored opportunities in Kenya’s cement industry but eventually walked away after encountering demands for kickbacks.
The Nigerian billionaire said his company maintains a strict policy against paying bribes, which influenced its decision not to proceed with the investment.
“We don’t pay bribes. If they tell us today to go and invest somewhere and there is corruption, we will not invest,” Dangote said.
The Nigerian billionaire said the decision aligns with the group’s long-standing anti-corruption policy, adding that the company would rather forgo business opportunities than compromise its principles.
The businessman did not disclose the identities of the individuals who allegedly sought the payments, nor did he specify when the demands were made.
However, the period during which Dangote Cement was actively pursuing regional expansion coincided with Uhuru’s presidency.
“President Ruto was Deputy President at the time, and we discussed opportunities in Kenya, but the environment then was different,” Dangote added.
Kenya Cement Plans
Dangote said the company had seriously explored establishing a presence in Kenya, one of East Africa’s largest economies and a key construction market in the region.
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However, he said demands for kickbacks ultimately forced the group to abandon those plans.
The failed investment meant Kenya missed an opportunity to host operations of Africa’s largest cement producer, a company with manufacturing plants across several African countries.
Dangote Cement has grown into one of the continent’s biggest industrial firms, supplying cement to multiple markets and serving as a key player in infrastructure development projects.
The billionaire added that his company decided to invest in Kenya at the time, as governments across Africa were competing to attract foreign direct investment and industrial projects that create jobs and boost manufacturing.
Dangote maintained that his company remains committed to investing only in environments where business can be conducted transparently.
He said creating jobs and supporting economic growth remain the primary objectives of the group’s investments across the continent.
Dangote on Fresh Billions for Kenya
Despite the earlier setback, Dangote said the group is now preparing to make Kenya one of its biggest investment destinations outside Nigeria.
He disclosed that discussions leading to the proposed refinery project began after engagements with the African Finance Corporation and later with President William Ruto.
According to Dangote, the refinery was initially considered for Tanzania because of its proximity to the Uganda crude oil pipeline, but investors eventually settled on Lamu.
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He cited Lamu’s deep-water port and the availability of sufficient land as some of the factors that influenced the decision.
The planned refinery is expected to process crude oil and produce a range of petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and jet fuel.
Dangote said the facility will also manufacture products used in industrial production, including polypropylene for the plastics industry and base oils.
The businessman also said the group is exploring investments in the power sector as part of broader plans to support industrial growth across Africa.
He said discussions are ongoing with leaders in different countries on opportunities to expand electricity generation.
According to Dangote, the group plans to invest up to $50 billion (Ksh6.5 trillion) across Africa over the next four years in sectors including energy, manufacturing and infrastructure.
He also said Kenya, Uganda, and other East African countries will become significant oil producers in the coming years, creating opportunities for refining and industrial development.
Dangote said the Lamu refinery could become the foundation for broader industrial growth along Kenya’s coast, attracting additional investments and creating employment opportunities.
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