MPs tour Dangote refinery as Lamu project takes shape

Kenyan lawmakers toured Aliko Dangote's oil refinery and petrochemical complex in Nigeria on October 12, 2026, to gain insight into a similar project planned for Kenya's Lamu region. The delegation, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and including Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, examined the refinery, Dangote's fertilizer plant, private port, and petrochemical facilities.

Ichung'wah emphasized that the visit aimed to acquaint lawmakers with the magnitude of investment planned for Kenya, stating that the Lamu project "will redefine the destiny of our nation, transforming our country's economy and that of the greater East African region." The proposed Lamu facility, valued at approximately Ksh2.08 trillion, will include an oil refinery, power plant, fertilizers production, and petrochemical facilities.

It is designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily, with a power plant capacity of 1,000 megawatts and additional output of chemicals and polypropylene.

Construction is slated to commence in late September 2026, with completion anticipated within 40 months, targeting early 2030. The project could generate approximately 60,000 jobs during construction and operations, with regional governments potentially receiving equity stakes. Kenyan crude oil supplies would join the mix, alongside crude oil from neighboring countries and international markets.

Meanwhile, Dangote has announced plans to expand the capacity of Nigeria's refinery to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2029. Kenyan investors are preparing to participate in an offer for Dangote Petroleum Refinery's Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The minimum subscription has been reduced to 10 units, priced at Ksh53.50, bringing the entry investment to Ksh535, down from the previous requirement of 2,000 GDRs. The offer, valued at Ksh39 billion, covers up to 728,971,962 GDRs and closes on October 13, 2026.

The Lamu project aims to bolster domestic refining capacity and lessen Kenya's dependence on imported petroleum products following the closure of the Mombasa refinery. However, the project is still in its early stages, requiring attention to financing, construction logistics, and regulatory approvals as the venture progresses. The parliamentary visit provided lawmakers with an opportunity to observe the operations of a large-scale refinery as Kenya endeavors to establish its own integrated petroleum complex.