The project is expected to begin construction in October 2026 and could become one of the largest private-sector investments in Kenya and East Africa.
Dangote recently said 30% of the financing for the project would come from private investors, while the remaining 70% would be financed through loans.
David Ndii, economic adviser to Kenyan President William Ruto, said last week that Dangote had offered Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda the opportunity to collectively take a 30% stake in the project.
Ndii said Kenya was prepared to take a 10% stake worth $500 million. If the three countries each participate at similar levels, their combined investment could reach $1.5 billion.
The refinery is expected to process about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, giving it a larger capacity than Dangote’s refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, which processes about 650,000 barrels per day.
Speaking during a press conference on August 24, 2026, President Kagame was asked whether Rwanda was considering investing in the Dangote refinery.
“In one way or another, discussions have taken place, but it is still too early to say much in detail. There are still things being worked out, but what I can say is that Rwanda would be pleased to be one of the participants in that investment,” Kagame said.
The planned refinery is expected to supply petroleum products to Kenya and other markets across East and North Africa, including Egypt.
Dangote has said Kenya would need to provide land, support efforts to raise capital and protect the refinery from competition from cheaper petroleum products imported from countries such as India and Russia.
The project comes as East African countries seek to reduce their dependence on imported petroleum products, particularly from the Middle East, which has faced prolonged geopolitical tensions and conflicts.
If completed as planned, the refinery could strengthen regional petroleum supply chains and provide East African countries with greater access to locally refined fuel.
