Kenya expects a proposed oil refinery backed by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to create about 60,000 jobs as the country pushes to establish itself as East Africa’s leading energy hub.
President William Ruto said on Friday that he had reached an agreement with the Nigerian billionaire to move ahead with the refinery in the coastal county of Lamu, describing it as a project that will serve markets across East and Central Africa while creating thousands of employment opportunities for young Kenyans.
“Kenya will now build the East African refinery here in Lamu, where we will need 60,000 young people to work,” Ruto said during the launch of the second phase of the government’s Nyota youth empowerment programme.
He added that the refinery would supply refined petroleum products to Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“I spoke with investor Aliko Dangote, and we agreed that the refinery will not only serve Kenya, but also Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while creating employment opportunities for our youth,” he said.
