Climate rights group Greenpeace Africa called for a halt to a proposed mega oil refinery project by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, in Kenya's coastal region, warning of environmental risks.
Issued on: 16/07/2026 - 15:29
2 min Reading time
The east African oil refinery, with a planned capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, was confirmed earlier this month to be located at Kenya's Lamu port, ending months of speculation that Tanzania could host the project. "This project threatens to damage one of East Africa's most fragile coastal ecosystems while locking Kenya into a risky fossil fuel future," Sherelee Odayar, Greenpeace Africa Oil and Gas campaigner, said in a statement. The group said the oil refinery, which is expected to take about 30 months to build, will lead to "habitat destruction, marine degradation, oil spill risk and dangerous air pollution". "Lamu's mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds are not expendable. They support fisheries, livelihoods and coastal protection," the NGO said.
Nigerian businessman and Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote attends the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi on May 11, 2026. AFP - LUDOVIC MARIN
