Ruto Backs Tanga Oil Refinery to Reduce East Africa Fuel Imports

 President William Ruto has urged East African countries to support the construction of a major oil refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, saying the project will reduce reliance on imported fuel and strengthen the region’s economy.

Speaking before Tanzania’s National Assembly, Ruto said East Africa has long depended on refined petroleum products from the Middle East, exposing it to supply disruptions and fluctuating prices. He called on Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to work together and invest in local processing of resources to create jobs and retain value within the region.

Ruto emphasized that the proposed refinery would help shift East Africa away from exporting raw materials and importing finished products. He noted that regional cooperation could also boost industries such as fertilizer and plastics manufacturing, reducing the need for imports.

The plan gained traction during the Africa We Build Summit 2026 in Nairobi, where Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote leading the project if governments in the region commit to supporting it. Dangote said he is ready to build a refinery similar to the one in Nigeria, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s willingness to partner in the initiative, pointing out that the crude oil pipeline already leads to Tanga, making it easier to connect to Mombasa and improve fuel distribution across the region. He added that closer cooperation would help East Africa avoid dependence on global supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The refinery, estimated to cost about $20 billion (KSh 2.58 trillion), is expected to provide a long-term solution to rising fuel demand and protect the region from global shocks that affect oil prices.

The development comes as Uganda continues work on its own refinery in Kabaale, Hoima District, a $4 billion project expected to reach a Final Investment Decision in July 2026. President Yoweri Museveni has said the facility will primarily serve Uganda’s domestic market, with surplus supply potentially feeding into the Tanga refinery.