DANGOTE: LAMU REFINERY WILL BE BUILT FASTER THAN UGANDA’S
Nairobi, September 29, 2026 — Nigerian billionaire and Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote has said Kenya’s planned Lamu oil refinery will move from groundbreaking to construction faster than Uganda’s long-awaited refinery project in Hoima.
Dangote said African governments should be cautious about investors who make major investment promises but fail to translate them into actual projects.
“By the time we are done with Lamu, it will be the fastest refinery to be built,” Dangote said, adding that he expected little physical progress on Uganda’s refinery by the time the Lamu facility begins operations.
The proposed Lamu refinery is designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, while Uganda’s planned Kabaale refinery in Hoima has a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day. Current reports indicate Dangote is targeting a September 30 groundbreaking for the Lamu project. Heavy construction machinery has already arrived at Lamu Port ahead of the ceremony.
Uganda signed an implementation agreement with UAE-based Alpha MBM Investments in March 2025. Under the agreement, Alpha MBM holds a 60% stake, while the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) retains 40%. The refinery is estimated at about US$4 billion.
The comparison comes as both countries seek to establish themselves as important petroleum-processing and energy hubs in East Africa.
Dangote’s remarks also highlight the broader challenge facing African governments: converting announced mega-investments into projects that actually reach construction and production.
For Kenya, the Lamu refinery is being positioned as a major regional petroleum-processing project, with a planned capacity that would make it one of the largest refining facilities on the continent.
The race for East Africa’s refinery future is now on — Lamu versus Hoima.
