Kenya’s President William Ruto has once again defended Tanzania’s Port of Tanga as a leading option for the proposed East African oil refinery project, while stressing that the final decision will be made by investors, including Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote.
Ruto explained that Tanga remains strategically attractive because the crude oil pipeline was originally designed to end at the port, making it a natural fit for the refinery project.
“Because the crude pipeline was going to Tanga, we thought that is the best location. But we will not dictate to Aliko Dangote and the investors,” he said.
The Kenyan leader made the remarks amid ongoing discussions between East African countries over the location of the multi-billion-dollar refinery project, estimated to cost between $16 billion and $20 billion.
The proposal involves Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in a joint effort aimed at strengthening regional energy security and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.
Ruto noted that the refinery project is expected to help East Africa avoid disruptions caused by global conflicts and unstable international shipping routes, adding that the region must rely more on its own resources for industrial growth.
He also highlighted that feasibility studies are being conducted by Dangote and other investors to determine the most viable location, with other ports such as Mombasa and Lamu also under consideration.
The debate over Tanga intensified after Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan raised concerns about Ruto’s earlier public comments suggesting the refinery would be built in Tanzania without prior consultation.
Ruto later clarified that Tanga’s proximity to Kenya’s Mombasa port—about 190 kilometres away—offers logistical advantages that could support regional fuel distribution and infrastructure integration.
He further emphasized that East African governments will not only facilitate the project but also invest directly in it alongside private investors to ensure shared benefits.
“But I want to also tell Aliko and all the other guys, you are not going to invest alone. Governments are also going to invest so that when you make the money, we also make the money,” Ruto said.
The refinery plan is part of broader regional efforts to attract large-scale infrastructure investments and accelerate industrialisation across East Africa through public-private partnerships.
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