Greenpeace Africa Opposes Dangote's $17 Billion Kenya Oil Refinery

Environmental advocates and the Kenyan government are clashing over a proposed $17 billion oil refinery in Lamu County. Planned by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, the facility would have a capacity of 700,000 barrels per day and is designed to establish Kenya as a regional refining hub. Dangote Industries Limited has already begun soil testing and engineering works, estimating a construction timeline of 30 months.

President William Ruto supports the project, asserting it will create approximately 60,000 jobs and reduce the region's reliance on imported fuel. However, Greenpeace Africa is demanding a suspension of all approvals. The organization warns that the project threatens mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds within a World Heritage Site, while risking marine degradation and air pollution.

Greenpeace Africa argues that the promised employment is largely temporary and may undermine local fishing and tourism economies. The group insists that no further progress should occur without a full, independent environmental and social impact assessment. Separate concerns have also emerged regarding whether Kenya possesses a sufficiently skilled workforce to operate the facility compared to other regional options like Tanga, Tanzania.