Africa is experiencing a wave of large-scale industrial projects, driven by governments’ desire to diversify their economies, accelerate industrialization, and integrate into global value chains. Here are six flagship projects marking this turning point.
- Dangote Refinery (Nigeria)
The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, is the world’s largest single-train refinery. With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, this project, launched by the Dangote Group, aims to make Nigeria self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and export them to the rest of Africa. The plant, which also includes a petrochemical unit, required an investment of over $19 billion. - Grand Inga (Democratic Republic of Congo)
The Grand Inga project on the Congo River aims to become the world’s largest hydroelectric complex, with a potential final capacity of 40,000 MW. Designed to provide electricity to Central and Southern Africa, and beyond, this colossal project could transform energy access on the continent, although its full implementation remains hampered by financial and political challenges. - Konza Technopolis (Kenya)
Konza Technopolis, or « Silicon Savannah, » is a smart technology city project that aims to position Kenya as a regional ICT hub. It will host technology companies, research centers, and universities on a 2,000-hectare site, with the aim of boosting the knowledge economy and innovation in East Africa. - LAPSSET Corridor (Kenya – Ethiopia – South Sudan)
This industrial and logistics project connects the port of Lamu to Ethiopia and South Sudan via a range of infrastructure: deep-water port, oil pipelines, pipelines, industrial zones, and railways. LAPSSET aims to transform regional trade, facilitate the export of natural resources, and industrialize landlocked areas. - El-Dabaa Industrial Zone (Egypt)
A vast industrial and technological zone is being developed around Africa’s first nuclear power plant (El-Dabaa, under construction with Russian support). Its aim is to provide Egypt with civil nuclear expertise, create skilled industrial jobs, and stimulate cutting-edge industries. - Tanger Med Industrial Park (Morocco)
Around the Tangier Med port complex, industrial zones concentrate activities in the automotive, aeronautics, logistics, and chemical industries. This hub exports hundreds of thousands of vehicles each year and attracts industrial giants like Renault and Stellantis. It has become a model of port and industrial integration in Africa.
These projects illustrate Africa’s ambitions: to industrialize its economies, create jobs, develop its resources, and establish itself as a global economic player. Their success will depend on political stability, governance, and long-term strategic partnerships.
