The Port of Lamu has received 2,930 metric tonnes of heavy construction machinery for the proposed Sh2.2 trillion ($17 billion) Dangote East Africa Refinery. The machinery arrived aboard the vessel MV Da Yang, which berthed at Lamu Port on Saturday. This development is a major milestone for the long-awaited project, set to become the first oil refinery in northern Kenya. The facility will process crude oil from the Lokichar fields in Turkana County.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, personally received the vessel and presented its master, Captain Wang Shengli, with a Certificate of First call and a Commemorative Plaque. Captain Ruto said the vessel's arrival shows the government's commitment to ensuring the project's success. He assured shipping partners and customers that Lamu Port is fully prepared to handle current and future cargo volumes linked to the refinery.
The Dangote East Africa Refinery, backed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and the Africa Finance Corporation, is planned as a 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery and petrochemical complex. Once complete, it is expected to be the largest refinery in East Africa, significantly expanding the region's refining capacity. The facility will process crude oil from the Lokichar fields in Turkana County, alongside crude sourced from other parts of East and southern Africa and beyond.
The project is expected to anchor related industries, including fertiliser, chemicals and packaging. Captain Ruto added that KPA, on behalf of the National government, is working on the construction of a dry port in Moyale. Discussions are currently underway with the Marsabit County Governor to secure land and cooperation for the facility. The dry port forms part of broader efforts to realise the full vision of the LAPSSET Corridor.
Dangote Group has set September 30, 2026, for the official groundbreaking ceremony, with President William Ruto expected to lead the event alongside Aliko Dangote. The milestone follows closely on President Ruto's tour on Friday, September 25, of Dangote's existing 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lekki, Lagos. The visit offered a preview of the industrial model envisioned for Lamu.
The KPA MD said the successful handling of MV Da Yang demonstrates the port's readiness to accommodate the heavy and specialised cargo expected throughout the refinery's construction phase. Lamu Port is expected to play a central role in handling petroleum tankers and supporting the refinery's marine and logistics needs both during construction and once the facility becomes operational.
The arrival of the heavy machinery is a significant step towards the realisation of the Dangote East Africa Refinery project. The project is expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region. The refinery is also expected to reduce Kenya's reliance on imported petroleum products and improve the country's energy security.
Key points
- The Dangote East Africa Refinery is expected to be the largest refinery in East Africa.
- The facility will process crude oil from the Lokichar fields in Turkana County.
- The project is expected to anchor related industries, including fertiliser, chemicals and packaging.
