Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has held a strategic meeting with Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s leading industrialist, days after reprimanding President William Ruto over a proposed multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Tanzania.

In a statement by Tanzania’s State House official X account on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the government confirmed Dangote’s visit together with his delegation

“I have met and held discussions with the Founder and Owner of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, together with his delegation,” the statement read in part.

While praising Dangote’s contribution towards Tanzania’s economy, Suluhu explained that Dangote is one of the major investors in Tanzania.

At the same time, Suluhu noted that his cement factory in the Mtwara region is boosting our economy through the cement trade, employment for Tanzanians, and the development of the construction sector.

“Alhaji Dangote is one of the major investors in Tanzania, where his cement factory (Dangote Cement) in the Mtwara region is boosting our economy through the cement trade, employment for Tanzanians, and the development of the construction sector,” she added.

Ruto’s past remarks

The closed-door meeting comes weeks after President William Ruto took to the stage to clarify his earlier remarks on the proposed multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, emphasising regional cooperation and shared benefits.

His 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.

“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.

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.