Kenya’s northern coastal county facing environmental scrutiny over proposed refinery
Environmentalists warn Kenya’s planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery at Lamu could damage fragile coastal ecosystems and lock the country into a fossil-fuel future, while officials argue it will create jobs. Greenpeace Africa is pushing for an independent environmental and social impact assessment before approvals proceed.
Cotton is making a quiet comeback in Busia, Kenya, where farmers are cultivating tiny plots that limit production. While some see improved livelihoods and education funded by cotton, others warn that tiny acreages and weak markets hinder full-scale revival. Burkina Faso farmers are diversifying into pineapples as a government push for food sovereignty expands local production amid security and hunger concerns.
West African cotton sectors are being recalibrated to add value locally. Mali aims to spin fibre into yarn; Benin is expanding finished-product exports from the GDIZ hub; Kenya is reviving its textile value chain from farm to fashion amid policy pushes. The push seeks to create jobs, curb imports, and widen local participation.