Sh2.2trn Dangote refinery: First vessel carrying project cargo arrives at Lamu Port

By  Kalume Kazungu

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

• The vessel was laden with 2,930.295 metric tonnes of construction materials for the mega investment.
• The project is set to be commissioned by Ruto, 14 other Heads of State and Aliko Dangote, on Wednesday, September 30.
• Once fully operational, the 700,000-barrel-per-day facility will supply refined petroleum products to eight countries.

The Sh2.2 trillion East African Oil Refinery by Aliko Dangote on Saturday received a major boost after the first caller vessel, Mv Da Yang Bai He, docked at the Port of Lamu in Kililana.

The vessel was laden with 2,930.295 metric tonnes of construction materials for the mega investment, which is set to be officially commissioned by President William Ruto, 14 other Heads of State, together with the investor, Aliko Dangote, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

On Saturday, there was pomp and colour at the port facility when the vessel carrying the critical Dangote Refinery construction equipment docked at Berth 3, where it was welcomed by cultural dances such as Goma la Lamu.

Speaking shortly after receiving the ship, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto cited the arrival of Mv Da Yang Bai He as a great milestone.

Mr Ruto noted that with such a major refinery cargo delivery, the Lamu Port proves its industrial capacity.

“We’re happy to receive MV Da Yang Bai He here at Lamu Port to deliver construction equipment for the Dangote Oil Refinery project. The vessel comes from China. This is the first caller vessel and its successful docking at Lamu Port firmly established the facility’s industrial growth and ability to handle ultra-large vessels,” said Mr Ruto.

He acknowledged that the Lamu Port has in recent times continued to experience an unprecedented surge in cargo volumes and mega-ship traffic, a move that has transitioned it from a quiet strategic project into a highly active deep-water transshipment hub.

He cited the entry of Dangote’s Oil Refinery mega-investment project as an ultimate catalyst to finally unlock the full potential of Lamu Port and the broader LAPSSET Corridor.

“As LamuPort and KPA at large, we’re ready to facilitate business by aiding the Dangote Oil Refinery venture and many other investments coming to this place. In previous years, we used to receive between three to four ships docking here at Lamu Port. But I am confident that the Dangote Project will completely change this dynamic. We’ve already experienced more vessel call-ins this year and we expect that our port will be extremely busy once the project is commissioned on Wednesday next week,” said Mr Ruto.

He insisted that the central goal of the LAPSSET Corridor is linking landlocked East African nations.

Therefore, the refinery creates an immediate commercial justification for such missing links.

He said road construction in Garissa, Moyale and the general northern Kenya corridor are under way to open up the region for more investments.

He said KPA was also planning to establish a dry port in Moyale.

“Two months ago, we had a discussion with Marsabit Governor to oversee whether he can give us land for the construction of the dry port. We shall be finalizing such plans in one or two weeks so that construction works for the dry port can commence,” said Mr Ruto.

Lamu Port General Manager Captain Abdulaziz Mzee expressed expectations that the upcoming Dangote Oil Refinery would serve as a massive revenue catalyst for the facility, drastically increasing vessel traffic and revenue in equal measure.

“The Dangote refinery will heavily boost business by forcing a continuous stream of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and cargo ships to dock, unload crude oil, and reload refined products. That business vessel call in will increase and that means revenue will be streaming as well,” said Mr Mzee.

Once fully operational, the 700,000-barrel-per-day facility will supply refined petroleum products to eight neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and the DRC.

This positions Lamu as the definitive transit gateway for East African energy logistics.

Beyond direct port revenues, the project backed by the Dangote Group is projected to generate 60,000 local jobs during its construction and operation.

On Friday, President William Ruto toured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Hosted by Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote, the high-profile visit served as a precursor to the groundbreaking ceremony for a massive replica project in Kenya, set to be undertaken at Kililana, Lamu West, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

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