LAGOS – Aliko Dangote announced plans Thursday to construct a 650,000 barrels per day refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, replicating the massive industrial scale of his landmark facility in Lagos, Nigeria.
Speaking at the Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, the billionaire industrialist committed to completing the multi-billion-dollar project within five years to enhance regional energy security and self-sufficiency.
The proposed plant will serve as a central hub for East Africa, processing crude oil sourced from Kenya, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for regional consumption.
President William Ruto of Kenya and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda endorsed the initiative, noting it would significantly reduce the continent’s heavy reliance on refined petroleum imports from overseas.
Data indicates the refinery will match the Lagos plant’s initial capacity, which currently meets 100% of Nigeria’s requirement for refined products while supporting an active export mandate.
To facilitate distribution, the project includes a proposed pipeline network connecting Tanga to Mombasa, creating a streamlined logistics corridor to supply fuel to landlocked nations across the region.
Dangote also revealed that his primary Lagos refinery is undergoing an expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day, further solidifying its position as the largest single-train facility globally.
“I can give commitment to the two presidents that were here, if they will support the refinery, we’ll build the identical one that we have in Nigeria” Dangote said.
The Tanga refinery marks Dangote Group’s second major investment in Tanzania, following the successful establishment of the country’s largest cement plant in Mtwara.
Analysts suggest the move will drastically lower logistics costs and fuel prices across the East African Community by eliminating long-haul shipping costs and middleman markups from international traders.
