Dangote is preparing a colossal project in Kenya: a giant refinery could transform East Africa

Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, considered Africa's richest man, is planning to build a huge oil refinery in Kenya, according to an interview with the Financial Times reported by Reuters.

The project would involve a refinery capable of processing up to 650,000 barrels of oil per day, a capacity comparable to that of the giant facility developed by Dangote in Nigeria. The total investment could reach between $15 and $17 billion.

In the interview, Aliko Dangote explains that he favors Mombasa as a potential location. According to him, the city has a "larger and deeper" port than Tanga, another site considered in regional discussions.

Last month, Kenyan President William Ruto indicated that several East African countries were studying the possibility of building a joint refinery in the Tanzanian port of Tanga, drawing inspiration precisely from the industrial model developed by Dangote in Nigeria.

But the Nigerian billionaire now seems to be leaning towards Kenya. "Kenyans consume more. It's a bigger economy," he told the Financial Times. "The ball is in President Ruto's court," he added, stating that he would follow the Kenyan head of state's lead.

Today, East Africa is almost entirely dependent on imports of refined petroleum products, mainly from the Middle East. This dependence makes the region highly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and sharp increases in energy prices.

The war involving Israel, the United States, and Iran has recently revived these concerns by disrupting global energy markets and strategic shipping routes.

If the project is successful, this future refinery could profoundly transform the regional energy sector, reduce dependence on imports and make Kenya a key player in oil refining in East Africa.