Rwanda has joined other African countries in witnessing the launch of a major $16 billion oil refinery project by Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote in Kenya.
Minister of Trade and Industry Tony Kajangwe represented President Paul Kagame at the launch ceremony held at the Port of Lamu on September 30, 2026.
The event brought together several African leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Togo’s President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové.
The project will include the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery as well as an economic zone dedicated to producing a range of petroleum-based products.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry said Rwanda expects the project to contribute to efforts to unlock greater value from Africa’s natural resources.
In a post on X, Minister Kajangwe said Rwanda was looking forward to the launch of the project and its contribution to adding value to Africa’s natural resources.
The refinery is expected to be completed in 2030 and will have the capacity to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The project is expected to help lower the cost of petroleum products in East Africa while reducing the amount of foreign currency countries in the region spend importing fuel.
Dangote said the investment is aimed at helping East African countries reduce their reliance on petroleum products imported from outside the region.
Governments in the region have been invited to take a combined 30% stake in the project, while Engineers India Limited has secured a $450 million contract for construction work related to the refinery.
The project is also expected to create more than 50,000 jobs and stimulate the growth of industries producing petroleum-based products, including materials used in road construction.
