Preparations Intensify at Lamu Port Ahead of Sh2.2 Trillion Dangote Refinery Groundbreaking

Preparations have entered the final stages at the Port of Lamu ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed Sh2.2 trillion Dangote East Africa Refinery, a major investment expected to transform the region’s petroleum refining and energy landscape.

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Principal Secretary for the State Department for Transport Mohamed Daghar toured the Port of Lamu on Monday to assess the level of preparedness ahead of the landmark event. The two officials expressed satisfaction with the preparations.

The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be presided over by President William Ruto and attended by several Heads of State and Government, highlighting the regional significance of the proposed refinery.

The preparations come as Lamu Port continues to handle significant cargo operations, further demonstrating its growing importance as a strategic logistics hub. Workers are currently offloading 2,930 metric tonnes of heavy construction machinery from the vessel MV Da Yang.

The proposed refinery is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, placing it among the largest refinery projects planned for East Africa.

According to the project plans, the facility will process crude oil from the Lokichar oil fields in Turkana County, as well as crude sourced from other parts of East and Southern Africa and international markets.

Upon completion, the refinery is projected to strengthen regional energy security by increasing the availability of refined petroleum products across East Africa.

The project is also expected to support the development of regional petroleum value chains, enhance industrial activity and create opportunities linked to the wider energy and logistics sectors.

The development further underscores the strategic role of the Port of Lamu in Kenya’s long-term infrastructure and energy plans, with the facility increasingly positioning itself as a key gateway for major regional investments and cargo operations.