Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote and president William Ruto are preparing to launch construction of a $16 billion oil refinery in Lamu, expected to become East Africa’s largest industrial project by capacity. Scheduled for completion by 2030, it would process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily and include a 1,000-megawatt power plant. Dangote says construction could create 60,000 jobs and encourage further industrial development. However, some Lamu residents have protested over land compensation, while campaigners are demanding details of the project’s environmental impact assessment and greater consultation with local communities. Critics have also questioned locating the refinery in Kenya, which does not produce oil, although officials say crude can be purchased internationally. The refinery, Dangote’s largest proposed investment outside Nigeria, is intended to strengthen regional refining capacity and could potentially contribute to lower Kenyan fuel prices.