EPRA Says Kenya Has 50 Oil Blocks Amid Questions Over Crude for Lamu Refinery

Kenya currently has 50 petroleum exploration blocks across four sedimentary basins, with the Lamu Basin being the largest. Commercial crude oil production is expected to begin in December 2026 from the South Lokichar fields, starting at 20,000 barrels per day and increasing to 50,000 barrels as more fields are developed. Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote plans to build a 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, raising questions about Kenya's overall crude production capacity. The government is also preparing data for a new licensing round to explore additional unexploited blocks.