Kenyan President William Ruto is expected to visit the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos on Friday ahead of the groundbreaking of a proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, Kenya.

The Dangote Group confirmed that its President, Aliko Dangote, will host Ruto at the Lekki refinery before the September 30 ceremony for the Kenyan project.

The planned refinery is expected to increase East Africa’s refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and support job creation and industrial development in Kenya.

Ruto had earlier announced that Kenya was ready to begin construction after meeting with Dangote and the Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

He said the discussions focused on financing and other preparations for the project.

Ruto described the refinery as a major investment that would improve energy security, create economic opportunities, strengthen regional supply chains and support Kenya’s industrialisation plans.

The Lamu refinery is part of Dangote’s wider expansion plans in the refining sector. The group is targeting a combined refining capacity of about 2.1 million barrels per day through the Kenyan project and the planned expansion of its Lekki refinery from 700,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.

The Dangote refinery in Lagos has continued to supply refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market while also exporting products to other countries.

Ruto’s visit comes just days before the groundbreaking of the Kenyan refinery, highlighting the growing business relationship between Dangote and Kenya.