Kenya’s ambition to host a proposed Dangote oil refinery is facing a major challenge as the country grapples with a shortage of skilled workers needed to support the project.

The planned refinery, expected to be located in Lamu, is projected to boost Kenya’s refining capacity, strengthen regional fuel supply and create thousands of jobs. However, industry stakeholders say the country’s limited pool of specialised professionals could slow the project’s implementation.

Experts note that constructing and operating a modern refinery requires highly trained engineers, welders, pipefitters, electricians, instrumentation technicians and other skilled workers. Kenya currently lacks enough qualified personnel in these areas, raising concerns that developers may have to depend heavily on foreign labour.

The skills gap is also seen as a missed opportunity for local communities, which are expected to benefit from employment and technology transfer once the project begins.

To address the challenge, the Kenyan government is working with training institutions and industry players to expand technical and vocational education programmes. The initiative aims to equip young people with refinery-related skills before construction begins.

Analysts say investing in workforce development will be critical to ensuring the success of the refinery and enabling Kenya to maximise the economic benefits of the project.