An Indian state-owned engineering and project management company, Engineers India Limited (EIL) has secured a contract worth worth approximately US $448M to support the development of Dangote Group’s proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery and petrochemical complex in Kenya, marking a significant step forward for one of East Africa’s most ambitious energy projects.
The company, which operates under India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, announced that it had been awarded the contract to serve as both Project Management Consultant (PMC) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) consultant for the planned greenfield refinery project in Lamu.
Under the agreement, the firm will oversee key aspects of project execution, including engineering design, procurement coordination, construction management, project planning and contractor supervision. It will also be responsible for monitoring costs, schedules, quality standards and safety compliance throughout the development phase.
READ: Lamu oil refinery in Kenya set for construction
Scope of work
The US $ 448M award relates specifically to consultancy, engineering and project management services and does not represent the total construction cost of the refinery. The broader project has previously been valued at around US $17Bn, positioning it among the largest planned refinery and petrochemical investments on the African continent.
With an anticipated refining capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the facility is expected to significantly expand East Africa’s petroleum processing capabilities and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional energy and industrial hub. Once operational, the refinery could reduce dependence on imported refined fuels while supplying petroleum products to both domestic and international markets.
The Indian engineering company brings extensive experience from previous collaborations with Dangote Group in Nigeria. It served as PMC and EPCM consultant for the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Lekki, which is now operational. The firm is also supporting plans to expand the Nigerian refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day and has participated in other major Dangote industrial projects, including fertilizer production facilities.
In announcing the contract, Dangote Group cited its long-standing partnership with the engineering company and its track record in managing large-scale energy infrastructure developments. The award formally establishes the company’s role in the Kenyan refinery project as preparations for construction gather momentum.
The development comes as Kenya advances plans to establish a major refining and petrochemical centre in Lamu, supported by broader discussions on crude oil transportation infrastructure linking the country’s oil-rich Turkana region to the coast. Industry observers view the project as a potential catalyst for regional energy security, industrial growth and increased investment in East Africa’s downstream petroleum sector.
