Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, has revealed plans to collaborate with Kenya and Uganda on establishing a significant oil refinery in Tanzania. This new venture is intended to be a replica of his existing 650,000 barrels per day refinery located in Lagos, Nigeria.
Dangote made these remarks during a conference on infrastructure financing held in Nairobi. He spoke alongside Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, indicating that the project's realization is contingent on securing political backing from these East African nations.
“If they will support the refinery, we’ll build the identical one that we have in Nigeria,” Dangote stated, expressing confidence that the project would proceed successfully. He further elaborated that the construction could be completed within the next four to five years.
The proposed refinery, slated for location in Tanga, Tanzania, is envisioned to process crude oil from various regional sources, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. This strategic positioning aims to establish it as a key energy hub for the East African region.
Dangote highlighted the lessons learned from the Nigerian refinery, emphasizing the importance of local manufacturing in mitigating the impact of global economic fluctuations. He pointed to the production of polypropylene as an example of how local industrial capacity can support downstream industries and supply chains.
The industrialist framed this East African initiative as part of a broader continental push for self-sufficiency. He asserted that Africa now possesses the necessary financial institutions and human capital to undertake large-scale projects, countering past skepticism about the continent's capabilities.
Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed the ongoing discussions for a joint refinery in Tanga, noting its potential to process oil from the DRC, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda, thereby benefiting all participating nations.
The Dangote refinery in Lagos has recently increased its role as a regional supplier, shipping approximately 17 cargoes of gasoline to other African countries in early April. The facility is also boosting urea fertilizer exports, catering to demand amidst global energy market disruptions.
