Africa’s richest man launches Kenya oil refinery despite land protests

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Africa's wealthiest individual, has begun construction on a $16bn (£12bn) oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya's northern coast. Upon completion, the refinery will be East Africa's largest industrial project, processing 700,000 barrels of crude oil each day.

When breaking ground, local residents protested, demanding greater compensation for the land used for the refinery. Dangote dismissed these concerns, stating they were orchestrated by local marketers and international entities. He has offered regional governments a combined 30% stake in the refinery, and Dangote views the project as a new chapter in Africa's industrial development.

Kenya's Energy and Petroleum Minister Opiyo Wandayi maintains that the refinery's location does not require it to rely on oil from the region, as it can source crude oil from the global market. Dangote has unveiled plans for a 1,000-megawatt power plant alongside the refinery, aiming to address Africa's critical energy constraints and spur industrialization.

At present, Kenya is not an oil-producing nation, though neighboring countries Tanzania and Uganda are moving towards oil exports via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. Despite this, Kenya's government is investing heavily in infrastructure, with the Lamu refinery representing the largest infrastructure project since the country's independence.