{"id":34805,"date":"2026-04-24T22:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T18:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gbc1.net\/?p=34805"},"modified":"2026-04-27T19:24:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:24:10","slug":"african-leaders-lead-the-way-for-energy-sovereignty-at-the-africa-we-build-summit-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gbc1.net\/index.php\/2026\/04\/24\/african-leaders-lead-the-way-for-energy-sovereignty-at-the-africa-we-build-summit-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"African Leaders Lead the Way for Energy Sovereignty at \u2018The Africa We Build Summit 2026\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During ‘The Africa We Build Summit 2026’ held in Nairobi from 23 to 24 April 2026, a high-level panel discussion grabbed media attention as the participants discussed how to achieve #EnergySovereignty<\/a> in East Africa. The panel members, notably, Kenyan President William Ruto, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote, and African Finance Corporation CEO Samaila Zubairu, distinguished themselves through their boldness and foresightedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kenya President Ruto got the ball rolling by declaring that the project of a regional refinery has become more urgent with the lingering uncertainties around energy supplies from the Middle East. The East African Regional Refinery Project would take crude from neighboring oil-producing countries such as Uganda, South Sudan, and Kenya. Moreover, Tanzania has significant reserves of natural gas, while the Democratic Republic of Congo also has large untapped reserves of oil.<\/p>\n\n\n

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High-Level Panel Discussion Mulls Regional Refinery for East Africa<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Uganda’s oil sector is booming and is expected to reach commercial production by the end of 2026. Previously, Uganda announced a JV with UAE Alpha MBM Investments to develop a 60,000 barrels a day (bpd) refinery back in 2024. However, if the regional refinery goes ahead, Uganda is willing to support it wholeheartedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regional refinery would have a capacity of 650,000 bpd and be co-sited at the Tanga oil terminal on the Tanzanian coast. Based on its successful refinery in Nigeria, Aliko Dangote is all-in for this new refinery and stated that his company could probably make it a reality within five years. As a matter of fact, the Dangote Group is already in the process of implementing 20 fertilizer plants across Africa by 2028.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tanga has been chosen for the regional refinery as it is the terminal point of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (#EACOP<\/a>). The Pipeline was designed to transport Ugandan crude to the Tanzanian seaport and is scheduled for completion in July 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n

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East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As part of the project, massive petroleum storage facilities are being constructed on the Chngoleani Peninsula with a total capacity of nearly 2 million barrels. Similarly, the two-kilometer jetty for oil tankers is nearly ready. If all goes well, the technical commissioning will take place in July 2026, and the political commissioning is scheduled for October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AFC CEO Zubairu noted that Africa spends nearly USD 230 billion annually on its import bill, of which a major portion goes to fuel, fertilizers and plastics. Actually, 70% of Africa’s refined petroleum needs are imported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With regards to the financing, Dangote indicated that all investors are welcome, especially African ones, which will thus secure a petroleum supply within their own continent. In addition to enhancing #EnergySecurity<\/a>, he forecasts handsome dividends in the future based on the positive outcome of his Nigerian refinery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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