The Kenya Government approved the upgrading of the Mombasa refinery on 3 May 2007. This will enable the refinery to produce lower sulphur levels in fuels to 50 ppm or below. Currently sulphur levels in diesel stand at about 10,000 ppm. New technology will also allow Kenya to produce unleaded gasoline in a more cost effective way. The upgrading is estimated to cost about US$322 million.

This is good news for UNEP and the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) who have been liaising with the Government and industry players on ways to reducing sulphur levels in fuels to improve urban air quality. UNEP/PCFV together with other partners plan to organize a sub-regional workshop for Eastern Africa in the second half of this year to discuss options for improving urban air quality through clean fuels and vehicles, waste management, addressing indoor air pollution and reducing industrial and mining pollution. >> Read more