Prime Minister Abiy Joins President Ruto, Other African Leaders at Lamu Refinery Groundbreaking

Addis Ababa, September 30, 2026 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has joined Kenyan President William Ruto and other African leaders at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lamu Refinery in Kenya.

Pictures posted today on the social media platforms of the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia show Prime Minister Abiy and President Ruto engaging in conversation during the ceremony and later posing together alongside other leaders and dignitaries.

The gathering brings together African leaders around a major energy and infrastructure project, underscoring the importance of dialogue, understanding and partnership in advancing regional cooperation.

The Lamu project, spearheaded by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, is a planned $16 billion refinery designed to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is expected to supply refined petroleum products to Kenya and wider East African markets while helping reduce the region’s reliance on imported refined fuel.

The refinery is being developed at Lamu Port along the LAPSSET corridor and is expected to strengthen the area’s role as a regional transport and energy hub. Regional governments have also been offered a combined 30 percent stake in the project, which is targeted for completion around 2030.

Prime Minister Abiy’s participation comes a few days after Ethiopia, Djibouti and the Dangote Group announced a 120-kilometre refined petroleum products pipeline linking Damerjog in Djibouti with Dewele in Ethiopia, further highlighting growing regional cooperation around energy infrastructure and connectivity.