₦airaland Forum

Aliko Dangote has unveiled plans to collaborate with Kenya and Uganda on a large-scale refinery project in Tanzania, signalling a new phase in Africa’s push for energy self-sufficiency and industrial expansion.

by Abdulkareem Mojeed


Africa’s richest man and President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has signalled plans to partner with Kenya and Uganda to construct a major oil refinery in Tanzania—modelled after his flagship 650,000 barrels-per-day facility in Nigeria.

The African billionaire disclosed this while speaking during a conference on infrastructure financing on Thursday in Nairobi.

Mr Dangote, who participated in the conference alongside other regional presidents, including Kenya’s president, William Ruto, and Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, among others, expressed confidence that the venture would materialise, provided political backing is secured.

“If they will support the refinery, we’ll build the identical one that we have in Nigeria,” he said, referring to discussions with the presidents of Kenya and Uganda.

Though still at an early stage, he struck an assured tone: “It will work. There’s nothing that can stop it.” His remarks drew resounding applause from participants.

The proposed project underscores Mr Dangote’s growing ambition to reshape Africa’s energy and industrial landscape through large-scale, locally anchored infrastructure.

He revealed that construction efforts tied to his broader refining vision are already underway, with early-stage piling works in progress for what could scale up to 1.4 million barrels per day—potentially making it the largest refinery complex in the world.

Such capacity, he noted, would rival global benchmarks.

“We’ll have about 10 per cent of the entire United States’ refining capacity,” Mr Dangote said, adding that the refinery would be integrated with petrochemical production to support downstream industries.

Drawing lessons from Nigeria, Mr Dangote highlighted the critical role of local manufacturing in cushioning economies against global shocks.

He pointed to polypropylene production as a lifeline for industries ranging from cement packaging to food supply chains.

Without it, he warned, many businesses would have struggled to survive amid surging global prices, which (polypropylene) recently climbed from $900 to $3,000 per tonne within weeks.

The industrialist framed the East African refinery push as part of a broader call for self-sufficiency across the continent.

“That is why we must learn how to build self-sufficiency,” he said, emphasising that Africa now has both the financial institutions and human capital to execute large-scale projects.

Reflecting on his company’s earlier financing challenges, Mr Dangote recounted securing a $478 million international loan in the early 2000s under difficult conditions, including steep domestic interest rates.

Despite initial skepticism from lenders, the loan was repaid ahead of schedule—an example he cited to counter doubts about African capacity.

“It is possible. Africans can do it. Let us not be scared,” he said.

He also praised Uganda’s policy stance on limiting raw material exports, arguing that such measures compel value addition within the continent.

“Why take raw materials out and then bring back finished goods?” he asked. “We too have educated people. We have big financial institutions. It is not like before—things have changed.”

If realised, the Tanzania refinery project would mark a significant step toward regional energy integration and industrialisation, positioning East Africa as a new hub in the continent’s evolving petrochemical landscape.

East Africa currently imports most of its refined petroleum products, mainly from the Middle East, leaving the region vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes, as seen in the fallout of the Iran conflict.

On his part, Mr Ruto noted that the East African countries are discussing plans for a joint oil refinery at Tanzania’s port of Tanga.

“We’re going to have a joint refinery in Tanga to benefit all of us because that refinery is going to take on board the oil from DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo), the oil from Kenya, the oil from South Sudan, and the oil from Uganda,” Mr Ruto said.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/874240-dangote-to-partner-kenya-uganda-to-build-refinery-in-tanzania.html

Uganda is unfortunately a landlocked country with crude oil. At least it will stop depending on Kenya to route its fuel supply. It has my blessing.

Na under Tinubu's government some people have been blaming that Dangote has been making big moves

The last official cross over night which I attended ( Over a decade ago), that pastor said, the same year you are complaining of things not working for you, some people are questioning why the sudden blessings.

Life is not fair to anyone, learn how to deal with it without nagging unnecessarily

Good for him and his family

I am in search of an old friend and classmate, "Peace Uhunoma". She attended Delta State University, Abraka. Fair in complexion and extremely beautiful. A Benin gal... Heard she travelled abroad, but please anyone who knows her, should link us
She's not on Facebook though

Can someone explain how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria economy? No insult,please

Dangote.... The real odogwu. Conglomerates naaaa water!

This is a very good move. This is how Africa will grow.

If you like keep shouting monopoly, capitalist up and down, don't sit down and reason how to be resourceful and improved in your own ways positively. Kudos to alhaji Dangote jare.




Weekend blessings to everyone.

Notatribalist:
Can someone explain how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria economy? No insult,please

If you have your company; how has your own company helped Nigeria? If you work with a company, how has your employer helped Nigeria?
The answer you provide will now give you a clue as to how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria. Thank you.

Okay. Dry good collaboration. A welcome development !

They should keep trying to strangle the refinery in Nigeria so that we will start importing from Tanzania when this one is completed. This is what Nigerians love - importation

iLoveYouToo:
They should keep trying to strangle the refinery in Nigeria so that we will start importing from Tanzania when this one is completed. This is what Nigerians love - importation

Notatribalist:
Can someone explain how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria economy? No insult, please

As Nigeria owns the refinery right?

iLoveYouToo:
As Nigeria owns the refinery right?

I JUST TIRE! oo WE LOVE IT! isnt it! in which! of which!

Notatribalist:
Can someone explain how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria economy? No insult,please

Lol
Nothing tangible.
You know Nigerians love celebrating the "process" and not the "result"..
Everybody is celebrating the successful end of "the privatisation process" just as we celebrate "the coming of democracy".
But the devil is in the details..
Remind them that under privatisation, electricity has become costly and scarce and petrol now sells exorbitantly, they don't care.
Everyone is satisfied that we "did what America did".. No one cares about the results..

Nooooo. He wants to monopolize African oil industry.


According to igbos

See ? They are talking about refinery, you're talking about a girl you're stalking.

This is why Africa is where it is. The girl no send you.

By the way we know where you're from

adamkkk:
Good for him and his family

I am in search of an old friend and classmate, "Peace Uhunoma". She attended Delta State University, Abraka. Fair in complexion and extremely beautiful. A Benin gal... Heard she travelled abroad, but please anyone who knows her, should link us
She's not on Facebook though

The same Kenya that's fighting with Tinubu.

As una dey stress am for house like the proverbial contentious wife, make e go get side chicks for outside...

The only man that stands against world bank and stands tall.

He will prevail, waiting for June to be part of this great stride.

Babangidapikin:
Uganda unfortunately is a landlocked country with crude oil. . At least they will stop depending on Kenya to route there fuel supply .It has my blessings.

and who are you in the scheme of things

Some business promos now look more like scenes from a film than typical adverts.
Good lighting, natural expressions, calm pacing… no noise, no pressure.
It’s subtle, but it pulls you in.
I tried creating something along that line—still figuring it out though.
Would you actually watch this if it showed up as an ad?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpNIUhxggEY?si=rrwX27O9f9uBwm0n

Dangote about to punish tanzanians

helinues:
Na under Tinubu's government some people have been blaming that Dangote has been making big moves

The last official cross over night which I attended ( Over a decade ago), that pastor said, the same year you are complaining of things not working for you, some people are questioning why the sudden blessings.

Life is not fair to anyone, learn how to deal with it without nagging unnecessarily

What kind of talk is this useless talk?
Dangote built his refinery under Buhari's regime, and the success story would definitely lead to other investments, whether Tinubu is the one in Aso Rock or not. Stop looking for ways or stories to steal credit where none exists.

Tinubu was elected to fix the economy and resolve insecurity challenges, which he has failed to do.
Tinubu was not elected to supervise or manage the expansion of the businesses of a private businessman into other African countries!

Notatribalist:
Can someone explain how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria economy? No insult,please

Without it now you will be praying to buy fuel at 5000 per litre will not see because of the closure of steiy of homuz and 1 usd will be over 3k because majority of our foreign exchanges goes towards importing fuel which is no longer the case

Notatribalist:
Can someone explain how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria economy? No insult,please

Previously if a situation like Strait of Hornuz closure happens, Nigerians will queue to buy fuel at fuelling stations at a very high price, higher than what is currently obtainable. Now no queue, price is high but not high as if there is no Dangote refinery.

There are other benefits

Notatribalist:
Can someone explain how Dangote refinery has helped Nigeria economy? No insult,please

Regardless of the price....fuel is very much available ...no more scarcity...this also regulate the price to some extent.

Gone are the days when fuel price go high, we no go still see buy for filling stations...so no more queues

Thanks to Dangote refinery wey dey our backyard

adamkkk:
Good for him and his family

I am in search of an old friend and classmate, "Peace Uhunoma". She attended Delta State University, Abraka. Fair in complexion and extremely beautiful. A Benin gal... Heard she travelled abroad, but please anyone who knows her, should link us
She's not on Facebook though

What department in Delsu was she?

The original Billionaire that ever liveth for Nigeria.
Team monopoly, how market