Kenya $16bn Dangote oil refinery launched in Lamu

A $16-billion oil refinery project was being launched at the Kenyan port of Lamu on Wednesday, with builder Aliko Dangote saying it marked a step toward African industrialisation.

Dangote, who created Africa's biggest oil refinery in Nigeria, said the Kenyan refinery would have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day. The project would be larger than any refinery in Europe, according to the supplied details.

“This is Africa coming together to build Africa,” Dangote said at the ceremony. He said the project was intended to help Africa reduce reliance on imported refined fuel.

Kenyan President William Ruto attended the ceremony with regional leaders including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.