Ru promoted Co/SBA-15 catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and characterized by XRD, H 2 -TPR, H 2 -TPD, O 2 titration and DRIFTS. The catalytic activity of the catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis was investigated in a fixed bed reactor (FBR). Their reducibility, CO adsorption capacity, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis activity and C 5+ hydrocarbon selectivity increased with increasing Ru loading. The increases in activity and selectivity were attributable to the increased number of active sites as a result of the higher reducibility as well as the synergetic effect of Ru and Co.