Dangote Dismisses Kenyan Court Halt to $17bn Lamu Refinery
Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, has brushed off a Kenyan court ruling that halted work on a planned $17 billion refinery in Lamu County, stating that he is unbothered and prepared to face the parties involved.
Dangote made the remarks during an investor meeting held at the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya, where he engaged with East African institutional investors ahead of the company's initial public offering.
The Malindi Environment and Land Court had stopped construction of the proposed plant after farmers and residents of Chandavai, a community in Lamu County, filed objections. They alleged forceful eviction and destruction of their property.
Speaking on the development, Dangote described such legal challenges as typical for large-scale projects across Africa, adding that the Kenyan case is minor compared to previous obstacles his company encountered elsewhere, including Senegal.
He recounted learning of the order upon landing in Nairobi the previous night, saying he had turned off his plane's Wi-Fi to rest but was immediately confronted with the news, which he said had been reported by Bloomberg.
According to him, a court had issued an order barring any construction, but he dismissed it as a normal occurrence in Africa. He noted that in Senegal, the opposition went beyond the courts, shutting down their factory for a full year and forcing the company to seek a Supreme Court judgment.
Dangote further stated that they are aware of the individuals behind the Kenyan legal action and will confront them directly. He warned that anyone attempting to create problems should know they are ready.
The refinery project, valued at $17 billion, is part of Dangote's expansion into East Africa. The court order remains in effect while the case continues.
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