Uganda and Tanzania are on track to export their first crude oil through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) as early as October, marking a major milestone for East Africa’s long-delayed entry into global oil markets, Africa Business Insider reports.
The $5 billion pipeline, which stretches 1,443 kilometres from Uganda’s Albertine Graben to the Indian Ocean port of Tanga in Tanzania, is expected to become the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline once operational. Designed to transport Uganda’s waxy crude at high temperatures, EACOP will form the backbone of the region’s oil export infrastructure.
According to officials cited by Africa Business Insider, construction of the pipeline is between 75% and 80% complete, with all major pipeline segments already laid and more than $3.3 billion invested to date. Start-up readiness is now targeted for mid-2026, with first exports anticipated shortly thereafter.
Uganda’s Petroleum Authority chief executive Ernest Rubondo described EACOP as a transformative project for the country, saying it would unlock Uganda’s petroleum potential and underpin long-term economic growth. Uganda is estimated to hold around 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, much of which has remained untapped due to the absence of export infrastructure.
Progress and political backing
Momentum behind the project was reaffirmed at a high-level stakeholder meeting held in Dar es Salaam earlier this month, where energy ministers and senior officials from both countries reviewed progress on pipeline construction, above-ground facilities and the marine export terminal at Tanga.
Uganda’s delegation was led by Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, while Tanzania was represented by Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi, alongside officials from national oil companies and energy regulators. Both governments reiterated their commitment to completing the project on schedule.
Once fully operational, EACOP is expected to transport up to 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day, positioning East Africa as a new and significant oil-exporting corridor linking inland reserves to international markets.
Regional economic impact
Beyond Uganda, the pipeline is set to deliver substantial economic benefits to Tanzania, which will host the export terminal and a significant portion of the pipeline route. Tanzanian authorities say the project has already generated tens of billions of shillings in revenue through taxes, levies and construction-related charges, while creating employment opportunities, particularly in coastal and pipeline-adjacent communities.
Tanzania’s EACOP project coordinator Asiadi Mrutu has previously noted that the project is strengthening the country’s role as a regional energy transit hub, with wider implications for infrastructure development and trade.
Environmental debate continues
Despite its economic promise, EACOP has faced sustained opposition from environmental and human rights groups concerned about emissions, land use and ecological risks. Project developers, including TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC), maintain that mitigation measures are being implemented, including plans to power much of the pipeline’s operations using solar energy.
As reported by Africa Business Insider, Ugandan and Tanzanian officials argue that EACOP reflects a strategic choice to pursue infrastructure-led growth and regional integration, balancing development needs with environmental considerations.
If completed on schedule, EACOP could reshape East Africa’s energy landscape, opening a new export route to global markets while anchoring long-term economic ambitions for both Uganda and Tanzania.
