Date: April 23, 2026 l Reporter: Usman Adebayo
Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to build a new 650,000 barrels-per-day oil refinery in East Africa, signaling a major expansion of his energy footprint beyond Nigeria.
According to the report, the proposed refinery is expected to mirror the scale of the existing Dangote Refinery in Lagos, which is currently the largest single-train refinery in the world with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
The new project is aimed at boosting fuel production across the African continent and reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products. East African countries currently rely heavily on fuel imports, making them vulnerable to global price shocks and supply disruptions.
Dangote indicated that the refinery could be developed in partnership with multiple East African governments, suggesting a regional approach to energy security. The project is expected to process crude oil from countries such as Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, strengthening intra-African energy cooperation.
If implemented, the refinery could significantly transform fuel supply dynamics in the region by providing locally refined products, reducing import costs, and improving energy stability. Analysts say such a development could also support industrial growth and economic expansion across East Africa.
The move aligns with Dangote’s broader vision of expanding Africa’s refining capacity and achieving energy self-sufficiency. His Lagos refinery, which began operations in 2024, has already started exporting refined products to several African countries, helping to ease fuel shortages and reduce reliance on external suppliers.
In addition to the East Africa project, Dangote has also outlined plans to expand the capacity of his existing refinery to 1.4 million barrels per day, which would make it one of the largest refining complexes globally.
Experts note that while the East Africa refinery proposal is ambitious, its success will depend on regional cooperation, financing arrangements, and political commitment from participating countries.
As Africa continues to face energy challenges, the proposed refinery represents a significant step toward reshaping the continent’s oil and gas sector, with the potential to reduce import dependence and strengthen regional economic resilience.