TANGA, April 28 -- EAST Africas proposed regional oil refinery at Tanga, Tanzania, is not just another infrastructure announcement.

It is a test of whether the region can turn a recurring fuel-import weakness into a bankable industrial platform.

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are discussing a joint refinery at Tanga, modelled on Nigerias Dangote refinery.

Aliko Dangote has said he is ready to lead the project if governments agree, with a possible delivery timeline of four to five years once agreements are in place.

The reason this matter is simple: East Africa consumes refined fuel at scale but depends heavily on imported petroleum products.

That leaves transport, mining, food distribu...