Greenpeace Calls for Halt to Dangote’s $17bn Kenyan Oil Refinery Project Amidst Environmental Concerns BODY: Nairobi, Kenya – Environmental activists have called for the immediate halt to the construction of a $17 billion oil refinery project proposed by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
The proposed facility, with a planned capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, is set to be situated at Lamu port, a coastal town renowned for its mangrove forests and fragile ecosystems.
On July 14, 2026, Greenpeace Africa issued the call to suspend all approvals for the project until an independent environmental and social impact assessment is conducted and made public. Sherelee Odayar, the oil and gas campaigner for Greenpeace Africa, stated, “This project threatens to damage one of East Africa’s most fragile coastal ecosystems while locking Kenya into a risky fossil fuel future. “.
The group has expressed concerns over potential habitat destruction, marine degradation, oil spill risks, and dangerous air pollution. Despite these fears, Kenyan President William Ruto has expressed support for the project, highlighting its potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Greenpeace Africa counters that the project would only yield temporary jobs and undermine existing livelihoods in fishing, tourism, and local economies.
Furthermore, the group is concerned that the project could become a stranded asset as the global shift towards cleaner energy continues.
The proposed refinery project is part of a larger trend in Africa to invest in oil and gas infrastructure, a move that critics argue is not in line with the global shift towards renewable energy and sustainable practices.
As the debate over the Dangote refinery project persists, the outcome could have significant implications for Africa’s future energy investments and commitment to sustainability.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: rfi
Source: RFI
