Dangote vows to fight legal challenges over $16bn Lamu Refinery

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has vowed to confront legal challenges to his businesses, saying he is prepared to reduce his ownership of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to 25 per cent as more Africans invest in the company.

According to The Punch, Dangote spoke during a fireside chat at the Nairobi Securities Exchange after a Kenyan court ordered that the status quo be maintained over land earmarked for his planned 700,000-barrel-per-day Lamu refinery.

The case was filed by 133 residents who claim the land is ancestral property. Dangote Group said the order would not halt Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony, although activities could be affected before the October 14 hearing.

Dangote said legal disputes were not unusual in Africa.

“Anyone who wants to cause trouble, we are ready for them,” he declared.

The $15 billion-$16 billion refinery is expected to be completed by 2030 and could require more than 60,000 workers.

“We will try as much as possible to train a lot of people here because part of the project will need over 60,000 people working there,” he said.