A boat operator waits for passengers as he prepares for the start of the day's work in Lamu Old Town on Lamu Island on October 1, 2026.The picturesque Kenyan island of Lamu faces a tough trade-off after becoming the construction site for Africa's latest mega-refinery.Lamu, on the Indian Ocean coast, is known for its 12th-century Old Town, traditional dhow sailing boats and paradisical beaches that have made it a favourite haunt of stars like Mick Jagger, Kate Moss and the Obamas. But within less than half a year it has become the chosen location for Africa's second-biggest oil refinery, being built by Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP via Getty Images)