EACOP REACHES 79% COMPLETION, ON TRACK FOR JULY 2026 COMMISSIONING

TANGA, Tanzania — The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has reached a major construction milestone, attaining 79 per cent completion and remaining on course for commissioning by July 2026, government officials confirmed.

Tanzania’s Minister for Energy, Deogratius Ndejembi, announced the progress update on Monday during a high-level briefing held alongside a visiting Ugandan delegation. The US$5 billion cross-border infrastructure project is now entering its final implementation phase, with the remaining 21 per cent of works focused primarily on system integration and terminal completion on both the Tanzanian and Ugandan sides.

“Once completed, the project is expected to drive major economic growth, especially in Tanzania, where a large part of the pipeline passes. Uganda’s oil exploration and production will play a pivotal role in the country’s economic transformation,” Minister Ndejembi said.

Jobs, Capacity and Economic Impact

According to the minister, the EACOP project has already delivered substantial socio-economic benefits, including the creation of over 12,000 jobs, providing employment opportunities and skills development for citizens in Uganda, Tanzania and the wider region.

He further noted that the pipeline will have the capacity to transport 246,000 barrels of crude oil per day once operational, underscoring its strategic importance to regional energy security and export capacity. The next phase of the project, he added, will largely depend on Uganda’s readiness to commence full-scale oil production.

EACOP and Uganda’s Vision 2040

Uganda’s Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Ruth Nankabirwa, described EACOP as a cornerstone of the country’s long-term development agenda, particularly Vision 2040, which aims to expand Uganda’s economy from US$40 billion to US$500 billion.

She highlighted the oil transportation sector as a key driver of this transformation, noting that transportation costs are projected at US$12.77 per barrel, enhancing the competitiveness of Uganda’s crude exports.

“This infrastructure will benefit not only Uganda but also neighbouring Tanzania, as both nations will gain from improved oil transportation systems, strengthening regional economic integration,” Dr Nankabirwa said.

Skills Development and Technology Transfer

Beyond immediate economic returns, Dr Nankabirwa emphasized the project’s long-term human capital impact. As oil exploration and extraction activities increase, EACOP is expected to generate sustained employment opportunities in both countries, supported by workforce development and specialised training programmes.

A key component of the project, she noted, is technology transfer, with workers from Uganda and Tanzania receiving advanced training in oil exploration, pipeline transportation and refinery technologies. This investment in skills is expected to position both countries as regional leaders capable of executing large-scale energy projects.

“There is a need for all people employed in strategic projects like this to be identified through a special system, so that when other projects arise, they can be given opportunities based on their experience and integrity,” she said.

Dr Nankabirwa also underscored the importance of discipline and hard work, assuring workers that strong performance on current projects would open doors to future opportunities as the energy sector continues to expand.

A Model for Regional Cooperation

Both ministers agreed that EACOP represents more than a pipeline—it is a model of regional collaboration. By fostering local talent, enhancing technical capacity and aligning national development goals, the project is expected to strengthen Tanzania’s and Uganda’s positions in the global energy market.

Project Overview

The EACOP project, which began in 2016, runs from Hoima in western Uganda to Chongoleani in Tanzania’s Tanga Region, covering a total distance of 1,443 kilometres. Of this, 296 kilometres are in Uganda and 1,147 kilometres are in Tanzania.

The pipeline will be supported by six pumping stations—four in Tanzania and two in Uganda—forming a critical backbone for East Africa’s emerging oil and gas industry.

As construction advances toward completion, EACOP is increasingly being viewed as a transformative infrastructure project with far-reaching economic, industrial and regional integration benefits for East Africa.