Suluhu Questions Ruto Over Dangote-Backed Oil Refinery Plan in Tanzania

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has publicly questioned Kenyan President William Ruto over the proposed construction of a major oil refinery in Tanga, revealing that her government had not officially approved or even discussed the project before it was announced in Kenya.

The issue emerged after President Ruto and Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote spoke about plans to establish a large regional oil refinery in Tanga during an investment conference held in Nairobi last month.

The announcement attracted significant attention across East Africa because the project is expected to involve several countries in the region and could transform the oil and energy sector.

However, while addressing journalists after a high-level meeting on Monday, May 4, President Suluhu disclosed that she had been surprised by the announcement because she had not been informed about any finalized agreement concerning the refinery.

Speaking during a public forum in Tanzania shortly after President Ruto’s state visit, Suluhu openly questioned why the Kenyan leader announced the project without first consulting her government or obtaining formal approval from Tanzania.

According to Suluhu, she directly confronted Ruto during their private discussions and asked him to explain the situation.

“As we were speaking privately, I asked President Ruto to explain why he went ahead and announced a refinery project in Tanga while I was unaware of it. He now needs to explain to us why he made that announcement,” Suluhu said.

Her remarks immediately sparked debate across the region, with many observers questioning whether proper diplomatic consultations had taken place before the project was publicly unveiled.

The comments also raised uncertainty about whether the refinery project had officially been approved by all the countries expected to participate.

President Ruto had earlier announced the refinery plan during the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Expo held in Nairobi on Tuesday, April 28. While addressing delegates at the event, Ruto stated that leaders from East African countries had agreed to work together to establish one large refinery in Tanzania.

According to Ruto, the proposed refinery would bring together countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan in a joint regional investment aimed at strengthening industrialisation and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.

“We have made the decision that we are going to do this together. We are going to harness the synergies of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan, possibly working together, so that we can have one big refinery here,” Ruto said during the conference.

The Kenyan president explained that East African countries should stop exporting raw materials without adding value to them locally. He argued that building a refinery within the region would help create jobs, support industries, and improve economic growth.

Following Suluhu’s comments, Ruto later clarified his earlier statement and explained that most of his discussions regarding the refinery had mainly involved Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni rather than Tanzania.

While responding to the controversy, Ruto defended the idea of constructing the refinery in Tanga, saying it would become a major investment opportunity for Tanzania and the entire East African region.

“The building of a refinery is a big opportunity for business and industrialisation. When I discussed with President Yoweri Museveni, our discussion was about how to industrialise our region using our resources,” Ruto explained.

He added that leaders in the region share a common vision of ensuring that East African countries benefit directly from their natural resources instead of depending heavily on foreign processing industries.

“It is my belief, and that of the leaders in our region, that whatever raw materials we have should be used for the industrialisation of our region so that we can create jobs here,” Ruto added.

The Kenyan leader further urged Tanzania to embrace the project, saying several countries had already shown interest in supporting and investing in the refinery.

“The good people of Tanzania, you are lucky that we are discussing having a refinery in Tanga. It is an investment that Kenya and Uganda are willing to invest in.

You have heard Rwanda is also willing to invest, and many other countries are willing to invest, and I hope Tanzania is also willing to invest,” Ruto stated.

The refinery proposal gained even more attention after Dangote expressed willingness to support the project financially and commercially.

The Nigerian billionaire reportedly encouraged East African countries, especially Kenya and Uganda, to participate in the investment so the refinery could serve the wider regional market.

If successfully implemented, the refinery could become one of the largest industrial projects in East Africa. Supporters of the plan believe it would reduce the region’s dependence on imported refined fuel, lower fuel costs for consumers, and create thousands of employment opportunities.

The project also comes at a time when East African countries are increasing oil exploration and production activities. Kenya, for example, has already discovered more than 560 million barrels of crude oil in Turkana, with exports expected to begin before the end of the year.

Uganda is also progressing with major oil projects, while Tanzania continues to position itself as an important energy and transport hub within the region.

Analysts believe a regional refinery could help East African countries process their own crude oil locally instead of exporting raw crude and importing expensive refined products.

Despite the potential economic benefits, Suluhu’s remarks have now highlighted the importance of proper consultation and cooperation among regional leaders before major multinational projects are publicly announced.

The development has also exposed possible communication gaps between East African governments regarding one of the region’s most ambitious energy proposals.

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu publicly rebukes Kenya's President William Ruto. Ni aibu kubwa pic.twitter.com/z83ATAYdyz

— Goddie (@Goddie_Ke) May 4, 2026

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