A major shift in Africa’s energy landscape may be underway as Kenyan President William Ruto revealed that Kenya and Uganda are in discussions with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to develop a new crude oil refinery in Tanzania.
The proposed refinery is expected to be located in Tanga, northeastern Tanzania, and will include a pipeline running from Mombasa, Kenya’s key port city, to the refinery site. The facility is designed to process crude oil sourced from countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
Speaking at an Africa Finance Corporation summit in Nairobi, Ruto emphasized that the refinery would be a joint effort aimed at benefiting multiple countries across the region.
“We are discussing a refinery in Tanzania… a joint refinery in Tanga to benefit all of us,” he stated.
The move comes at a time when global geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Iran, have highlighted Africa’s heavy reliance on imported fuel. Many African nations continue to depend on refined petroleum products from the Middle East, making them vulnerable to global supply shocks and price volatility.
The development also aligns with Dangote’s ongoing $40 billion expansion of his industrial empire, including efforts to significantly increase output at his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lagos.
If successful, the Tanzania refinery could mark a significant milestone in Africa’s push for energy independence; reducing import dependence, strengthening regional cooperation, and positioning the continent as a more self-reliant energy player.
