Yoweri Museveni has thrown his support behind a proposed East African regional refinery project following talks with Aliko Dangote, signaling growing momentum for deeper energy cooperation and industrial integration across the region.
In a tweet posted on X on May 17, 2026, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni announced that he had met with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote at Nakasero. He revealed that the meeting centered around the development of a proposed regional oil refinery in East Africa.
During the meeting, the president explained that his primary focus remains on value addition. He detailed why Uganda has historically refrained from exporting raw crude oil, arguing that doing so allows foreign entities to exploit the country's natural resources and reap the financial rewards of refined products.
"Without refining our oil, it would not make economic or strategic sense to simply export crude oil while others benefit from the finished products," Museveni stated.
The president expressed strong support for a larger regional refinery, describing it as a crucial step toward "African integration and shared prosperity."
