Dangote blames marketers, IOCs for Lamu refinery protests

Nigerian business mogul Aliko Dangote has accused local marketers and international oil companies of driving protests against his proposed $16bn oil refinery in Lamu, Kenya. Dangote, who performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery alongside Kenyan President William Ruto, made the claim during an interview with BBC’s Focus on Africa.

The refinery, anticipated to process 700,000 barrels per day by 2030, has faced protests over land acquisition for the project. Dangote dismissed the complaints, stating that the company only utilized the land allocated to it by the Kenyan government and that the protests were attempts to hinder development. Despite the legal battle, Dangote remains committed to the project, which he believes will become the largest refinery in East Africa and a significant infrastructure project in Kenya.