Kenya advances energy sector with new refinery and oil drilling milestones

Kenya is advancing its energy infrastructure through two major developments in the oil and refining sectors. Construction is scheduled to begin on the East Africa Refinery in Lamu on September 30, 2026. Backed by Aliko Dangote and the Africa Finance Corporation, the project is estimated to cost between USD 15 billion and USD 17 billion. The facility aims for a processing capacity of approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and is expected to create between 50,000 and 60,000 jobs.

Simultaneously, Gulf Energy E&P BV SEZ has reached a milestone in crude oil production with the arrival of the GW70 onshore drilling rig at the Port of Mombasa. The rig, leased from the UAE-based Great Wall Drilling Company, is being transported to Turkana County. The company aims to begin the first phase of its USD 6 billion production project on November 1, with a target of producing 20,000 barrels per day initially, eventually scaling to 50,000 barrels per day. The firm expects to achieve first oil production by December 2026.