Africa's richest man visits four countries in the east of the continent, including Ethiopia... What did he agree on?

Written by: Mohammed Omran 

Nigerian businessman Aliko intensified Dangote His movements in East Africa during a tour that included Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania, to discuss the implementation of a huge project to build a regional oil refinery, which is considered one of the largest energy projects on the continent.

 Dangote leads the giant refinery project in East Africa

The project was estimated to cost between $15 and $17 billion, with a production capacity of up to 650,000 barrels per day, amid competition between several countries to host the project, and growing political support for the idea of boosting local manufacturing and reducing dependence on fuel imports.

Political support and a strategic location enhance the chances of hosting the regional refinery.

Nigerian businessman and one of the most prominent investors in the African continent, Aliko Dangote, participated in the 'Africa We Build' summit held in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where he presented a huge investment proposal to establish a regional oil refinery in East Africa similar to his refinery in Nigeria.

During his speech to the summit, which was attended by Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Dangote stressed that the proposed project could be completed within a period of four to five years, provided it received clear support from regional governments.

Dangote said he was ready to build a refinery with a production capacity of up to 650,000 barrels per day, stressing that Kenya and Uganda should lead efforts to support the project, as they are key to the industrial integration of East Africa.

He pointed out that the African continent has sufficient resources and financial capabilities to implement major industrial projects, without relying entirely on foreign investments, calling for strengthening local manufacturing and reducing the export of raw materials.

He also explained that his investment group is committed to injecting about $40 billion by 2030 into the refining, fertilizer, petrochemical and manufacturing sectors, as part of a major expansion plan in Africa.

Dangote criticized the economic model based on exporting raw materials and importing finished products, arguing that it leads to job losses and weakens African economies.

In contrast, the proposal received support from Kenyan President William Ruto, who stressed the importance of enhancing value-added within the continent, while Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni endorsed the idea, emphasizing the need to exploit natural resources instead of exporting them without manufacturing.

Dangote also presented his vision for facilitating trade within Africa, calling for enhanced freedom of movement between African countries to support the implementation of regional projects.

This proposal is expected to open the door to extensive negotiations between Kenya, Uganda and East African countries regarding the selection of the refinery site, financing mechanisms and partnership, within a regional trend towards enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on fuel imports.

Ugandan President meets Dangote and backs regional oil refinery project in East Africa

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met with the Nigerian businessman at his residence in the Nakasero area, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the energy and industry sector within the East African region, most notably the project to establish a major regional oil refinery.

During the meeting, President Museveni announced his country’s support for the proposed initiative, confirming Uganda’s readiness to participate in the project by purchasing shares in the regional refinery, as part of a move to enhance regional economic integration and achieve added value for natural resources within the continent.

Museveni said Uganda refuses to rely on exporting raw materials without manufacturing, stressing that his country is working to develop the oil sector in a way that ensures local benefit before exporting, noting that regional cooperation will make infrastructure projects more viable for all East African countries.

Dangote said his team is currently studying potential sites for the project, which includes major regional ports such as Mombasa, Lamu and Tanga, as part of ongoing consultations with the relevant African governments.

During the meeting, both sides agreed on the importance of accelerating cooperation in the energy sector, supporting regional manufacturing projects, enhancing energy security in East Africa, expanding job opportunities, and transferring technical expertise.

In the same context, Dangote extended an invitation to Ugandan energy officials to visit his refinery in Nigeria, with the aim of strengthening technical cooperation and exchanging expertise in the field of refining and petroleum industries.

This meeting comes as part of a series of regional moves led by Dangote to discuss the establishment of the huge strategic project, which is expected to change the energy map in the region if implemented.

A massive industrial expansion led by Dangote in fertilizers and infrastructure supporting economic integration.

In the same context, he made a visit to Ethiopia, which included inspecting the fertilizer plant project belonging to his group in the Godi region, in the presence of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

During the visit, Dangote and Ethiopian officials toured the construction site of the factory, whose construction work was launched in October 2025, as part of a partnership between the Dangote Group with a 60% stake and the Ethiopian Investment Holding Company with a 40% stake.

During the visit, it was announced that the total investment in the project would be increased from $2.5 billion to more than $4 billion, to include additional expansions such as a 110-kilometer pipeline, a 120-megawatt power plant, a polypropylene packaging facility, and a 2 million-ton NPK fertilizer mix production plant.

Both sides stressed that the project represents a strategic step to support the agricultural sector in Ethiopia, by increasing local fertilizer production, reducing dependence on imports, supporting farmers, and creating new job opportunities.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister also stressed that the project is an important part of the country’s industrial development plan, and contributes to achieving food security and enhancing self-sufficiency.

The visit comes as part of monitoring the implementation of the project and confirming the Dangote Group’s commitment to expanding industrial investments within Africa, especially in the areas of fertilizers and infrastructure related to agricultural production.

Advanced negotiations and a strong candidacy for the refinery site via the port of Dar es Salaam

Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote also visited Tanzania, where he held talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the presidential palace in Dar es Salaam, as part of ongoing regional consultations on the refinery project.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the proposal and touched on ways of cooperation between the Tanzanian government and the Dangote Group in the event that Tanzania is chosen as a possible location for the project, in addition to discussing investment mechanisms and the infrastructure needed to implement the refinery and link it to regional energy and transport projects.

This coincided with ongoing regional consultations on oil pipelines and related energy projects, such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, which connects Uganda to Tanzania.

Discussions indicate that the project is still in the final site selection phase, with regional parties continuing to negotiate the partnership and implementation mechanisms.