Dangote Lamu Refinery Project Set To Create 60,000 Jobs – Ruto
President William Ruto says the government intends to hire approximately 60,000 Kenyans to work on the multi-billion-shilling oil refinery in Lamu, which will be built by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote.
Ruto stated on Friday, July 10, during the launch of the second tranche of the Nyota initiative, that the 60,000 job possibilities would be earmarked for youths who would assist with the refinery’s construction and operations.
“As you all know, Kenya is set to construct an East African refinery here in Lamu, and we will need 60,000 youths to do that job,” the Head of State said.
Ruto stated that he had already discussed the proposal with Dangote, and that the refinery will supply petroleum products to neighboring nations in addition to Kenya.
Kenya is set to construct an East African refinery here in Lamu, and we will need 60,000 youths to do that job – Ruto pic.twitter.com/usjG33pDCx— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) July 10, 2026
According to the President, among the countries set to directly benefit from the refinery are Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I have talked to businessman Aliko Dangote, and we have agreed with him that the refinery, which belongs to Kenya alone, will also serve Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC,” he added.
Ruto’s remarks come days after Dangote selected Lamu as the preferred location for a planned 700,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery, in a move expected to position Kenya as a major player in the fuel industry.
The proposed refinery, estimated to cost up to Ksh2.2 trillion, will become one of the largest industrial investments in Kenya’s history and is expected to reduce the region’s reliance on imported refined fuel.
The facility is expected to replicate Dangote’s massive refinery outside Lagos, Nigeria, which is among the largest single-train refineries in the world.
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Dangote Industries Vice President for Oil and Gas Edwin Devakumar said the site for the Kenyan refinery had already been selected, with soil testing underway and design and engineering work in progress.
The project is expected to supply refined petroleum products to Kenya and other East African nations, helping reduce exposure to global oil price shocks and shipping costs.
Kenya currently imports most of its refined petroleum products, making fuel prices vulnerable to international market changes and currency fluctuations.
The decision to locate the refinery in Lamu also shifts attention away from Tanzania’s Tanga region, which had earlier been considered as a potential site for the regional refinery.
Dangote indicated that Kenya was selected based on commercial, infrastructure and technical considerations, giving Lamu a major boost as a future energy and logistics hub.
Dangote Lamu Refinery Project Set To Create 60,000 Jobs – Ruto
