President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has welcomed the development of Aliko Dangote’s $16 billion East Africa Petroleum Refinery in Lamu, Kenya, saying the project signals a shift away from Africa’s long-standing dependence on exporting raw materials and importing finished products.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 30, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery, Museveni said he was pleased to witness what he described as the end of Africa’s “70-year betrayal.”
“I am happy to see Africa waking up and moving away from the 70-year betrayal of exporting raw materials.”
The refinery is designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to supply petroleum products to Kenya and other regional markets while supporting industrialisation and employment.
Museveni welcomed the Lamu project but maintained that Uganda will proceed with its planned 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Hoima, arguing that East Africa requires multiple refineries to add value to its petroleum resources.
The Lamu development is also expected to support industries such as fertiliser, chemicals and plastics, alongside a planned 1,000MW power plant. The project is further expected to contribute to employment and strengthen the LAPSSET Corridor.
Museveni said the broader goal should be regional integration, value addition and industrialisation, rather than continuing to export Africa’s resources and import finished products.
“I’m very happy to be alive and see the betrayal of Africa, which has been going on for the last 70 years, coming to an end.”– President @KagutaMuseveni at the groundbreaking of the East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu. pic.twitter.com/40jd3rWOvz
— State House Uganda (@StateHouseUg) September 30, 2026
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