The Consumers Federation of Kenya, a consumer rights organisation, is demanding details of Kenya’s proposed $500 million stake in the Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Lamu.

According to Kenya’s Capital FM Africa, COFEK made the demand through a petition to the Public Private Partnerships Petition Committee.

The group is seeking information on the proposed 10 per cent equity stake, including its funding source and payment terms, as well as details of the public land and other government support arrangements linked to the project.

COFEK also wants access to key records showing how the proposed refinery project was evaluated and approved by the Kenyan authorities. These include the process used to select the project, its financial and economic feasibility, the risks tied to Kenya’s participation and whether the public was adequately consulted.

“The consumer lobby is seeking documents on the project’s approval, procurement route, feasibility studies, financial risk assessments, public participation and any agreements committing public resources“, the publication said.

The organisation further wants to establish whether any agreements connected to the project could commit government funds or other public resources, which would give it a clearer picture of the potential obligations arising from Kenya’s involvement.

The proposed 10 per cent stake would give the Kenyan government an equity interest in the refinery, with the investment reportedly valued at about $500 million.

COFEK is questioning the basis of this valuation and has asked for the subscription agreement and related documents to establish how the stake was valued, how it would be funded and what rights and obligations would come with Kenya’s shareholding.

The petition also raises questions about a reported $165.7 million allocation in seed capital for the project.

COFEK wants clarification on the purpose of the allocation and whether the funds have been committed or disbursed, noting that an allocation in the budget does not necessarily mean the money has already been released.

The organisation is also seeking details on the public land proposed for the refinery within the LAPSSET Corridor, including its ownership, valuation and the terms under which it would be made available.

The issue comes amid a legal dispute involving residents of the area, with a court having issued a status quo order on the land earmarked for the project.

Beyond the proposed equity investment and land, COFEK wants details of any government support arrangements that could create further obligations for the state.

These include possible fuel offtake agreements, market protection measures, electricity purchases and revenue guarantees, which the organisation says would help determine the extent of the financial exposure Kenya could assume through its involvement in the refinery.

On August 21, 2026, Nairametrics reported that Dangote had offered East African countries a 30 per cent stake in the planned $17 billion refinery, with Kenya expected to take a 10 per cent stake valued at about $500 million.

The groundbreaking of the refinery in Lamu eventually took place on September 30, 2026.

On September 29, 2026, Dangote said a Kenyan court ruling would not halt the planned groundbreaking of the Lamu refinery.

The report highlighted the dispute over the land earmarked for the project, which is relevant to COFEK’s current request for information on the use of public land and the legal issues surrounding the site.

The proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu forms part of the Dangote Group’s broader expansion strategy, which also includes plans to expand its existing petroleum refinery in Lagos from 700,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2029, followed by a planned listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Lagos refinery expansion is being partly funded through Dangote Refinery’s ongoing ₦2.15 trillion IPO, involving 4.1 billion new shares at ₦525 each.

It was reported on September 11 that proceeds from the offer will help finance the estimated $14.27 billion expansion programme, with the balance expected from internally generated cash flow and other financing.

Dangote is also expanding its fertiliser business and plans to list Dangote Fertilizer Ltd on the stock exchange, with Aliko Dangote saying on September 29 that the listing could take place as early as 2027.

The company is targeting an increase in fertiliser production capacity from 3 million tonnes to 12 million tonnes as part of the group’s wider expansion plans.