Dangote Group has announced plans to create job opportunities for Kenyans with engineering degrees and diplomas as it develops the proposed oil refinery and related industrial ecosystem in Lamu.
Speaking during the refinery groundbreaking ceremony on September 30, Dangote said the project would support an industrial ecosystem covering energy, petrochemicals, logistics, engineering, marine services, manufacturing, skills and technology.
Dangote also announced plans to establish a training school in Lamu that will train 1,000 local residents. He said the program would target people with engineering degrees, diplomas and other relevant qualifications.
“To the government of Lamu, before we start even our file, which will be in the next couple of days, I want to assure you we are coming here to set up a training school that will train 1,000 of your people to now become anybody who has an engineering degree, diploma, or whatever; tell him that he has a job. His job is guaranteed,” he said.
Dangote Details Jobs Beyond the Refinery
According to Dangote, those who complete the required training and have engineering qualifications will have job opportunities linked to the project. He said the company intends to create thousands of opportunities across the refinery’s wider value chain.
The planned industrial ecosystem is expected to create opportunities beyond the refinery itself, including in logistics, engineering, manufacturing, marine services, technology and small and medium-sized enterprises.
“We’re here to help build an industrial ecosystem. And from our experience in Nigeria, this will give birth to an industrial zone, an ecosystem of energy, petrochemicals, logistics, engineering, marine services, manufacturing, skills, technology, small and medium-sized enterprises, and thousands of opportunities for people across the value chain,” he said.
John Mbadi Defends Dangote’s KSh2.2 Trillion Lamu Refinery Amid Ownership Claims
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi defended the proposed East Africa Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Lamu, saying the project reflects growing investor confidence in Kenya and could become one of the country’s largest industrial investments.
He said the refinery, backed by Dangote Industries, is expected to process about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day and involve an estimated $15-17 billion investment (KSh2.2 trillion).
Mbadi argued that investor confidence is reflected not only in new businesses but also in major acquisitions and expansion deals. He cited Vodacom’s acquisition of an additional stake in Safaricom, plans by Lloyd’s to establish a regional underwriting presence in Nairobi through the Nairobi International Financial Center (NIFC), and investment commitments worth $2.9 billion announced earlier this year across multiple sectors.
Addressing claims that President William Ruto has a personal stake in the refinery, Mbadi dismissed the allegations, saying discussions have only involved proposals for regional governments to participate in the project’s equity structure. He said economic diplomacy and government efforts to attract investors should not be confused with private ownership.
According to the CS, the refinery could create about 60,000 jobs, support construction, engineering, logistics and manufacturing industries, strengthen Kenya’s energy security, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products and position the country as a regional petrochemicals hub. He said the project could also spur new investments in plastics, chemicals, packaging, transport and other downstream industries.
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