Oil & Gas

Uganda and Tanzania have confirmed that the first exports of Ugandan crude oil through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will begin in October this year, marking a major milestone for the region’s energy sector. The project is 79 percent complete as of the end of December 2025, signaling steady progress toward commercial oil exports.

The announcement was made on January 5 during a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Dar es Salaam, where energy ministers from both countries assessed coordination and readiness. Officials reported that construction activities are at peak levels and remain on schedule for startup readiness by July 31, 2026, including progress on the pipeline, marine terminal in Tanga, and associated infrastructure.

Uganda’s Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa and Tanzania’s Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi led their respective delegations, which included senior officials and executives from national oil institutions and regulatory authorities. The meeting underscored strong political backing and cross-border cooperation as key drivers behind sustained financing and construction momentum.

Despite progress, the project continues to face criticism from environmental and human rights groups concerned about climate risks and displacement along the 1,443-kilometre pipeline route. In response, project partners TotalEnergies and CNOOC say the pipeline will rely on solar power for about 80 percent of its electricity needs, with the remainder sourced from the grid to limit carbon emissions.