Dangote Refinery Groundbreaking Marks New Chapter for Lamu’s Economic Development

Kenya today marked a major milestone in its industrial and economic development agenda with the groundbreaking of the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu County.

The ceremony was attended by President William Ruto, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, and Principal Secretary for Transport Mr. Mohamed Daghar, alongside other African leaders, senior government officials and stakeholders.

The project, with a planned capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, is expected to strengthen Kenya’s energy security, create employment and stimulate economic opportunities within Lamu and the wider region.

Dangote Group President and CEO Aliko Dangote highlighted the employment and skills opportunities the project will create, including plans to establish an engineering training school in Lamu to equip local talent with relevant skills and connect young people to opportunities arising from the project.

Dangote noted that more than 110 pieces of equipment are already on site, with a further 400 expected to arrive within the next 60 days as construction gets underway.

President Ruto described the groundbreaking as the transformation of a proposal into a major industrial project, highlighting its potential to drive investment, employment, regional trade and development.

For the State Department for Transport, the project further highlights the strategic role of Lamu Port and the LAPSSET Corridor in supporting large-scale investments, connecting markets and strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional transport and logistics hub.