President William Ruto has clarified his earlier remarks on the proposed multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, emphasising regional cooperation and shared benefits.

The clarification came during the Kenya-Tanzania Business Forum at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam on Monday, May 4, 2026, where Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan raised concerns over the announcement.

Regional refinery plan and response

“When we were having a conversation, I asked Ruto why he announced a refinery in Tanga without my knowledge,” President Suluhu said, inviting Ruto to respond.

In his remarks, Ruto acknowledged the concerns. “I have been informed that my decision to announce the building of a refinery in Tanga has not sat well with you (Tanzanians). If I knew, I would have announced that refinery to be built in Mombasa,” he stated.

Ruto said the project presents a significant opportunity for the region. “The building of a refinery is a big opportunity for business, a big opportunity for industrialisation,” he added, noting that Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan stand to benefit.

He emphasised the need to position Tanga as both a refining hub and a centre for mineral processing. “It is no longer sustainable for us to export raw materials. As a region, we must deliberately avoid exporting value, jobs and opportunities. Instead, we must retain and utilise them locally. That is the future of our development,” Ruto said.

East African cooperation and investment

The remarks come amid ongoing efforts within the East African Community (EAC) to develop joint infrastructure.

Speaking at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Expo in Nairobi on April 28, 2026, Ruto said the four countries had agreed in principle to develop a shared refinery. “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… so that we can have one big refinery here,” he disclosed.

The initiative aligns with plans by Aliko Dangote to construct a refinery in Tanga. Dangote had urged Ruto and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to support a similar facility to his Nigerian refinery.

Ruto dismissed reports suggesting the plan would affect Uganda’s Hoima refinery project. “There was no headache, for heaven’s sake. How does three countries coming together to build one piece of infrastructure amount to a headache?” he said.

Local resources and industrialisation agenda

With oil exploration ongoing in Kenya’s Turkana region following the discovery of over 560 million barrels, the push for local refining is aimed at reducing the export of raw crude and increasing value addition.

Ruto criticised the current export model. “The private sector has made it clear that the continued export of raw materials results in exporting jobs, opportunities and wealth, while importing inflation.”

He confirmed that engagements with Tanzanian authorities are ongoing to ensure coordinated use of regional resources. The initiative also extends to mining and renewable energy as part of a broader industrialisation strategy within the region.