RismadarVoice Reporters, April 24, 2026
Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to build a new 650,000 barrels-per-day oil refinery in East Africa, marking a significant expansion of his energy investments across the continent.
The proposed refinery is expected to replicate the scale of the Dangote Refinery, currently the largest in Africa, as part of efforts to reduce the continent’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Dangote disclosed the plan during a panel session at the Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, where he called for collaboration from East African governments to support the project. He said his company is prepared to deliver a refinery of similar capacity if the right policy and financial backing are secured.
The move comes amid growing regional discussions among countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to establish a joint refining hub, aimed at strengthening local fuel production and shielding economies from global supply shocks.
Industry analysts say the planned refinery could significantly reshape Africa’s energy landscape by boosting refining capacity, lowering fuel import bills and enhancing energy security across the region.
Dangote also emphasised the need for Africa to pursue industrial self-sufficiency, warning that continued reliance on imported fuel exposes economies to price volatility in global markets.
Beyond refining, the billionaire revealed plans to establish about 20 fertiliser blending plants across Africa by 2028, in a broader push to deepen the continent’s industrial value chain and support agricultural productivity.
The expansion builds on the success of the Lagos-based refinery, which began operations in 2024 and has been central to Nigeria’s ambition to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
If realised, the East African project is expected to attract large-scale investment and position the region as a key hub in Africa’s evolving energy market.
