East African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan are in advanced discussions to build a shared oil refinery at Tanzania’s Tanga port, in a move aimed at reducing the region’s heavy dependence on imported fuel, according to MarketScreener. The proposal was confirmed in April 2026 by William Ruto during an infrastructure summit in Nairobi.
The planned refinery would process crude oil sourced from across the region, including supplies from Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan, creating a centralized hub for refining and distribution. The EastAfrican says the initiative is designed to shield East African economies from global supply shocks and price volatility, particularly disruptions linked to Middle East tensions.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has offered to build and lead the project, proposing to replicate his 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery model developed in Nigeria. Dangote said he could deliver the facility within four to five years, provided governments in the region align on financing and policy support.
The discussions reflect a broader shift toward regional energy integration in Africa, where countries are increasingly pooling resources to build large-scale infrastructure. If realised, the refinery could transform East Africa from a net importer of refined fuels into a more self-sufficient energy bloc, while also strengthening intra-African trade and industrial capacity.
