President William Ruto is expected to hold discussions with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote during his visit to the United States, as Kenya seeks to advance plans for a major oil refinery in Lamu.
The meeting comes as the government works to move forward with the proposed East Africa Refinery, which is estimated at about KSh2.2 trillion. The project is expected to play a major role in Kenya’s plans to strengthen its petroleum industry and attract investment.
Ruto travelled to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where he is also scheduled to engage investors, global companies and international institutions on investment opportunities in Kenya.
The President and Dangote are expected to participate in business and investment discussions during the visit, with the Lamu refinery among the key projects linked to their engagements.
Ruto previously said construction of the refinery is expected to be launched on September 30, 2026. He said the project would involve Dangote and other regional leaders.
The planned refinery is expected to have a processing capacity of about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The government has also been discussing a possible crude oil pipeline connecting Turkana’s oil fields to the refinery.
Ruto said the pipeline would help unlock Kenya’s petroleum resources in Turkana and support the development of the wider oil industry.
The refinery is also being presented as a regional project that could serve markets beyond Kenya. Earlier reports said the facility could supply petroleum products to several countries in East and Central Africa.
The planned meeting with Dangote therefore comes as Kenya seeks to turn the refinery proposal into a major investment project and strengthen the country’s position as a regional energy hub.