Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest businessman, is moving forward with plans to build a $17 billion oil refinery in Kenya, marking a significant step in addressing East Africa’s energy challenges.
In an exclusive interview with The Financial Times, Dangote expressed his preference for Mombasa, Kenya’s coastal city, as the location for the facility, highlighting the port’s superior infrastructure. “I’m leaning more towards Mombasa because Mombasa has a much larger, deeper port,” Dangote said.
He also pointed out Kenya’s larger economy and higher consumption of refined products, further strengthening the case for Mombasa as a strategic location. “Kenyans consume more. It’s a bigger economy,” he added.
A Crucial Investment for East Africa
The proposed refinery, estimated at $15 billion to $17 billion according to The Financial Times, would be one of the largest industrial investments in East Africa.
