Construction of the proposed Lamu Oil Refinery, backed by Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote, is slated to begin in October 2026. The ambitious project, aimed at boosting energy self-sufficiency in East Africa, has seen its estimated cost revised downwards.

• The refinery will have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
• Key figure: Aliko Dangote, founder and chairman of Dangote Group.
• The project's cost has been reduced from Ksh2.2 trillion to approximately Ksh2 trillion (or $16 billion).

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) are launching a Smart Gate pilot and aiming for 24-hour operations at the Port of Mombasa to enhance cargo clearance efficiency.

• The new digital cargo system, including the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD) system, has already seen over 1,000 applications since its rollout on August 3.
• Key stakeholders include the KRA, led by Commissioner General Adan Mohammed, and the KPA.
• The reforms aim to create a seamless, predictable, and efficient cargo clearance environment to support business growth and protect national revenue.

International oil prices have seen a significant drop, sparking hopes for lower fuel costs for Kenyan motorists in the upcoming Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) review.

• Murban crude oil prices fell to Ksh9,384.97 (US$72.54) per barrel as of August 6.
• The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reported these price movements in its latest Weekly Bulletin.
• This decline follows EPRA's decision last month to maintain current fuel prices, with government intervention through the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) Fund and an extended 8 per cent VAT.