Kenya to break ground on Dangote refinery – Ruto

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Kenyan President William Ruto has said the country is ready to break ground on the proposed East Africa Refinery in Lamu, a project being developed with Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote.

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Ruto disclosed this on Monday after holding talks with Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

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The discussions focused on financing and final preparations for the commencement of the multibillion-shilling refinery project.

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Ruto said the refinery would strengthen East Africa’s energy security, create jobs and support industrialisation in the region.

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He said, “We are ready to break ground on the East Africa refinery in Lamu, a transformative project that will enhance the region’s energy security, deepen local value addition, create jobs and advance our industrialisation agenda.”

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The Kenyan President added that the project would create new economic opportunities, strengthen regional supply chains and position East Africa as an energy and industrial hub.

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“The refinery will unlock new economic opportunities, strengthen regional supply chains and position East Africa as a competitive energy and industrial hub,” he said.

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Ruto said his administration was focused on moving the project from planning to implementation and ensuring that it delivers economic benefits to people in the region.

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“We are focused on turning this landmark project into reality and delivering tangible benefits for the people of the region,” he said.

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The proposed refinery is estimated at about Sh2.2tn ($17bn) and is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

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The Lamu refinery is expected to serve markets across East and Central Africa and form part of Kenya’s wider plans to develop the area into an energy, industrial and logistics hub.

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