Amanze Chinonye
Rwanda is exploring an investment in Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote’s proposed oil refinery in Kenya, President Paul Kagame said, signalling growing regional interest in a project designed to strengthen East Africa’s petroleum supply chain.
Kagame on Monday, August 24, 2026 said that Kigali had been in discussions over possible participation in the project, but stressed that no final decision had been reached.
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The president described the discussions as a work in progress and said Rwanda would be willing to participate, while cautioning against drawing conclusions about the size or structure of any potential investment.
The refinery is planned for Lamu, a coastal city in Kenya, with proposed processing capacity of about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The project has been estimated at around $16 billion and would require substantial investment in supporting infrastructure before operations could begin.
Dangote’s proposal has attracted interest from governments across East Africa as countries seek to reduce their dependence on imported refined petroleum products and strengthen regional energy security.
Kenyan officials have previously said Dangote offered regional governments an opportunity to take an equity position in the refinery. Kenya has been linked to a proposed 10% stake, while other countries have also been discussed as potential investors. The terms and size of Rwanda’s possible participation have not been made public.
For Rwanda, which has no coastline and depends on imported fuel, participation could provide a financial interest in a major regional source of refined petroleum products while potentially improving the country’s access to fuel through East Africa’s transport corridors.
The investment would also fit Kigali’s broader interest in regional economic integration, particularly projects involving transport, energy and cross-border trade.
Dangote has called for governments to create conditions that would support the refinery, including access to land and financing, predictable regulation and measures against fuel imports that he argues could undermine the project’s commercial viability.
Rwanda’s possible involvement could strengthen the project’s regional character and provide additional political and financial support. But several issues remain unresolved, including financing, regulatory approvals, crude supply, infrastructure and arrangements for distributing refined products across East African markets.
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The proposed refinery would significantly increase the region’s refining capacity if completed and expand Dangote’s downstream petroleum operations beyond Nigeria.
Dangote’s 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Nigeria has established the group as a major player in Africa’s petroleum industry, supplying the domestic market while building its export business.
For now, however, Rwanda’s role in the Kenyan project remains under discussion. Kigali has not announced a financial commitment, and no agreement setting out the value or terms of a potential stake has been publicly disclosed.
A completed investment agreement would give Rwanda a direct financial interest in one of East Africa’s largest planned energy projects and could give Kigali greater influence over a refinery intended to serve markets across the region.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
