Business 23 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
East African Nations Plan Joint Refinery in Tanga with Dangote's Backing
Kenyan President William Ruto announced discussions among East African countries for a shared oil refinery at Tanzania's Tanga port, utilizing crude from Uganda, Kenya, DRC, and South Sudan. Aliko Dangote pledged to build a facility mirroring his massive Nigerian refinery if regional governments support the project. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/kenya-tanzania-and-neighbours-discuss-joint-refinery-as-dangote-offers-to-build-it-5434558
East African leaders are exploring a collaborative oil refinery project at the port of Tanga in Tanzania, inspired by Nigeria’s Dangote refinery. Kenyan President William Ruto highlighted this initiative during a Nairobi conference on infrastructure financing.
The region currently relies entirely on imported refined petroleum from the Middle East, exposing it to risks from supply issues and price volatility, such as those triggered by the Iran conflict.
Ruto explained that the Tanga refinery would process crude oil from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda, benefiting all participating nations.
Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, who joined the conference, committed to replicating his 650,000-barrel-per-day Nigerian plant in East Africa. He promised to lead construction within four to five years if three or four governments endorse the plan.
Uganda, anticipating commercial oil production this year, has its own refinery ambitions, including a 2024 agreement with UAE firm Alpha MBM Investments for a 60,000-barrel-per-day facility.
Dangote also revealed plans for around 20 fertilizer blending plants across Africa by 2028. On listing his Nigerian refinery, he urged African investors to join, noting dollar-denominated dividends.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)