Tanzanian billionaire Dewji pledges $100m for Dangote’s proposed Kenya refinery

TANZANIAN billionaire and MeTL Group President, Mr Mohammed Dewji, has expressed readiness to invest $100 million in Aliko Dangote’s proposed oil refinery in Kenya, backing the Nigerian industrialist’s ambition to expand refining capacity across East Africa.

The proposed investment was disclosed in a Bloomberg report published on Friday, which quoted Dewji as saying he had already discussed the refinery project with Dangote. Although he would have preferred the refinery to be located in Tanzania, he said he would still support the project if it is developed in Kenya.

The offer comes shortly after reports emerged that Dangote Group is considering the construction of a $17 billion refinery along Kenya’s coastline. If the project proceeds as planned, it is expected to take about 5 years to complete and would represent the group’s first major refining venture outside Nigeria.

Explaining his interest in the project, Dewji said expanding refining capacity within Africa is critical to reducing the continent’s dependence on imported petroleum products and promoting industrial development.

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“I have spoken to Aliko, what he has done is unbelievable in Nigeria, and I got to spend some time with him,” Dewji said.

“What he’s trying to do in East Africa is also fantastic and, as a matter of fact, I will also reach out to him that putting a refinery in East Africa, I will co-invest with him.

“These are the vision of solving African problems. We cannot be dependent on imports. We need to use resources and value-add and refine and manufacture to be sovereigns.”

Dangote Group currently operates the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, the largest single-train refinery in Africa, which commenced commercial production in 2024.

Industry observers say a refinery in Kenya could significantly improve fuel availability across East Africa, cut reliance on imported refined products and strengthen regional energy security through greater integration of petroleum markets.

In April, Dangote announced plans to replicate the success of his Nigerian refinery elsewhere in East Africa, saying the expansion would depend on collaboration and support from governments across the region.