Kenya explores renewable synthetic fuels and domestic refining options

Galetech East Africa has proposed an ambitious renewable energy project in Kilifi County, Kenya, aimed at producing synthetic fuels. Unveiled at the Year of Return Africa (YORA) Summit 2026, the initiative plans to utilize approximately 250 megawatts of solar power to drive the production of hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide. The project intends to explore the use of agricultural waste, such as coconut husks and macadamia shells, as sources of biogenic carbon dioxide.

To ensure local benefits, Galetech proposes a community ownership model involving land leases and company shares. The plan also includes establishing agricultural waste collection centers to provide income for local farmers.

Separately, discussions regarding Kenya's energy security have highlighted the country's refining capabilities. While Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote's refinery project is being promoted as a solution to fuel costs, some analysts suggest Kenya could modernize its own domestic refining capacity. They point to the technical expertise remaining from the former Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited, which operated in Mombasa until 2013, as a foundation for state-led or private modular refining ventures.