Indonesian Minister Says Pertamina Plans on Establishing Oil Refinery in Kenya

Posted on : Monday , 31st July 2023

Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan revealed that state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina plans to expand its business to East Africa by establishing an oil refinery in Kenya.

"Pertamina will enter Kenya after being asked to establish an oil refinery there. We also see an opportunity to bring their crude oil to Indonesia," Pandjaitan stated.

Following a meeting with Pertamina's President Director Nicke Widyawati, the coordinating minister remarked that the option to bring Kenya's oil to Indonesia aims to cater to the high demand for the commodity in Indonesia.

"It is their oil that will go to us because we still need it," he stated.

However, he admitted to having no idea about the production capacity potentials in the planned oil refinery in Kenya, as the planning is underway.

"We are still finalizing it, and there will be more meetings (about it) if I am not mistaken," Pandjaitan noted.

During his earlier visit to Kenya's capital Nairobi last January, Pandjaitan invited President William Ruto to bolster strategic economic cooperation between Indonesia and Kenya.

The coordinating minister echoed Indonesia's aspirations to work more closely with African countries on strategic issues, such as energy transition, digital transformation, sustainable development, and industrialization.