Heavy machinery for Dangote's Sh2.2 trillion Lamu refinery arrives at Lamu Port

The Port of Lamu has received 2,930 metric tonnes of heavy construction machinery destined for the proposed Sh2.2 trillion (about $17 billion) Dangote East Africa Refinery, as preparations gather pace ahead of a planned groundbreaking ceremony on September 30.

The equipment arrived aboard the vessel MV Da Yang, which berthed at Lamu Port on Saturday. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto received the vessel and presented its master, Captain Wang Shengli, with a Certificate of First Call and a commemorative plaque marking the ship's maiden call at the port.

"The arrival of this vessel is very critical and shows the government's commitment to ensuring this project succeeds; it will be a game changer for the entire region," Captain Ruto said. He added that the port was prepared to handle current and future cargo volumes linked to the refinery and committed to efficient vessel turnaround and cargo operations.

The refinery, backed by Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote and the Africa Finance Corporation, is planned as a 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery and petrochemical complex to be built on Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) land in Lamu. It is expected to be the largest refinery in East Africa and is designed to process crude from the Lokichar fields in Turkana County alongside crude from elsewhere in East and southern Africa. The project is also expected to anchor related fertiliser, chemicals and packaging industries.

The groundbreaking is scheduled for September 30, 2026, with President William Ruto expected to lead the event alongside Aliko Dangote. It follows the President's tour of Dangote's existing 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lekki, Lagos, on September 25. Captain Ruto added that KPA is working on a dry port in Moyale, with discussions under way with the Marsabit County government to secure land for the facility as part of the wider LAPSSET corridor.