Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian billionaire and head of the Dangote Group, has attributed the ongoing protests regarding his $16 billion oil refinery project in Lamu, Kenya, to local marketers and international oil companies. This statement came shortly after he and Kenyan President William Ruto officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the refinery, which is projected to be the largest in East Africa upon completion in 2030.

The protests have emerged amidst a court ruling that has temporarily halted construction activities due to a land dispute. Dangote voiced his concerns during an interview on the BBC’s Focus on Africa program, where he addressed the grievances of some residents who are dissatisfied with compensation for land acquired for the refinery. He firmly rejected allegations that the Dangote Group had appropriated more land than necessary, stating that the project only encompasses the area allocated by the Kenyan government.

In his remarks, Dangote questioned the rationale behind the protests, asking, "Have you ever seen people demonstrating against themselves in terms of development?" He characterized the protests as "games played by local marketers and international players," asserting that they would not derail the project.

The refinery, which will have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels per day, is anticipated to create approximately 60,000 jobs at the peak of its construction phase. Dangote emphasized that local communities would reap benefits from the project, which he considers his most significant investment outside Nigeria. He also highlighted the refinery's potential to surpass the $5.1 billion Standard Gauge Railway, marking it as Kenya's largest infrastructure project since independence.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by leaders from Uganda, Ethiopia, Togo, and Benin, reflecting the regional significance of the project. Additionally, Dangote has proposed a 30 percent stake in the refinery for regional governments, indicating his commitment to collaborative development.

Despite the optimism surrounding the refinery, environmental concerns have been raised by the Save Lamu campaign group. Co-founder Walid Ali expressed the community's desire to review the findings of the environmental impact assessment and the proposed mitigation measures. A group of 133 residents has taken legal action against the refinery, seeking to halt construction until their concerns are addressed. The Kenyan High Court has restricted construction activities on the disputed land, with the next court hearing scheduled for October 14.

Dangote remains confident that the Lamu refinery will mirror the success of his existing refinery in Nigeria, stating, "Lekki proved that it can be done, Lamu must prove that it can be repeated." He believes that the project will pave the way for further investments in the region, showcasing the potential for economic growth and development in East Africa.