Lamu community demands 70% job quota for Dangote’s $17bn refinery

Community leaders and youth in Lamu, Kenya, are demanding that at least 70 percent of the jobs created by Aliko Dangote’s proposed $17 billion refinery and petrochemicals complex be reserved for local residents.

The project, which is expected to refine 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is scheduled to begin construction around October 2026. It is estimated to create approximately 60,000 jobs during its construction and operational phases. Local residents are seeking a legally binding agreement from the Kenyan government and the Dangote Group to ensure these opportunities benefit the community, particularly as youth unemployment in the region remains a critical issue.

The refinery's funding is planned as a combination of 30 percent equity and 70 percent debt.