The groundbreaking ceremony for the Ksh.2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu County, Kenya, was attended by several African leaders. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni led the delegation, which included Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed Ali, Togo's Jean-Lucien Savi, and Benin's Romuald Wadagni. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the development of the oil refinery, which is expected to have a major impact on the region's industrial, manufacturing, and economic trajectory.
The African leaders present at the ceremony expressed their support for the establishment of the oil refinery, terming it a game changer for the region. They called upon various actors in the investment sector, including governments, leaders, and project-affected persons, to cooperate with investors and provide a conducive working environment to spur economic growth for the continent. President Museveni emphasized the importance of having multiple refineries in the region, citing Iran as an example with nine refineries.
President Museveni also mentioned that he had discussed with Nigerian billionaire investor Aliko Dangote the possibility of constructing a refinery in Uganda. He noted that having multiple refineries in different locations, such as Tanga, Lamu, and Uganda, would connect regional markets and create opportunities for trade and investment. Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed Ali added that the project would create a value chain and reduce Kenya's reliance on imported products.
Togo's Jean-Lucien Savi highlighted the potential of the Lamu refinery to reduce Kenya's quantity of imported products and create a value chain. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo also expressed his support for the project, noting that it was essential to support African investors who want to bring transformative change to the continent. He cited the example of Lafarge Africa, which had previously dominated the African market but was now out of Africa.
The heads of state present at the ceremony called on governments, leaders, and project-affected persons to cooperate fully with investors and provide a conducive working environment that will spur economic growth for the continent through return on investment. President Museveni criticized those who had delayed the project, stating that Dangote would have come a long time ago if not for some individuals seeking bribes.
Kenyan President William Ruto received apologies from Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu, who both sent representatives to the event. President Ruto noted that Kagame had expressed his unwavering support for the project. The attendance of multiple heads of state at the ceremony underscores the significance of the project and the region's interest in its success.
The Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery is expected to have a major impact on the region's industrial, manufacturing, and economic trajectory. With a cost of Ksh.2.2 trillion, the project is one of the largest investments in the region. The refinery is expected to create opportunities for trade and investment, connect regional markets, and reduce reliance on imported products.
Key points
- The Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery is a Ksh.2.2 trillion project expected to have a major impact on the region's industrial, manufacturing, and economic trajectory.
- African leaders, including President Museveni, expressed their support for the establishment of the oil refinery, terming it a game changer for the region.
- The project is expected to create opportunities for trade and investment, connect regional markets, and reduce reliance on imported products.
