Uganda’s plan to become a regional crude oil exporter has advanced significantly, with authorities confirming that the US$5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is now 75% complete. The 1,443-kilometre pipeline, running from the Albertine Graben in western Uganda to Tanzania’s Tanga port, is the final piece of infrastructure required before commercial crude production begins.
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda says all pipeline segments have already been delivered to construction sites along the route. The project is central to evacuating crude from the Tilenga and Kingfisher oilfields, which are also nearing completion. Tilenga, operated by TotalEnergies, is about 60% complete, while CNOOC’s Kingfisher field stands at roughly 74%. Combined peak output is projected to reach around 200,000 barrels per day.
Reuters reports that the Tilenga and Kingfisher developments form part of a broader US$15 billion investment programme led by TotalEnergies, which holds a 62% stake in EACOP. State firms from Uganda and Tanzania, as well as China’s CNOOC, own the remaining shares. At least $3.3 billion has already been spent on the pipeline and associated developments.
When operational, EACOP will become the world’s longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline, built specifically to transport Uganda’s waxy, low-sulphur crude to international markets. Uganda expects to earn between US$1 billion and US$2.5 billion in annual oil revenue, representing about 9% of government income. The Albertine Graben holds an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil, with around 1 billion barrels deemed recoverable.
Ernest Rubondo, CEO of the Petroleum Authority, said the current pace positions Uganda for first oil between 2025 and 2027. He described the pipeline as the backbone of the country’s crude exports and a catalyst for economic transformation.
The project is also reshaping economic prospects in Tanzania. The pipeline has already generated roughly TSh50 billion (US$19.5 million) in development levies, taxes and construction-related charges. According to Tanzania’s EACOP Project Coordinator Asiadi Mrutu, about 1,200 Tanzanians have been employed so far, including hundreds from local communities such as Chongoleani. Officials expect increased activity at the Tanga port, new service industries and long-term revenue from transit fees.
Energy Ministry spokesperson Neema Mbuja said implementation remains on track under the 2021 bilateral framework. Beyond Uganda and Tanzania, analysts say EACOP has the potential to strengthen regional energy security and attract investment in downstream petrochemical industries.
Despite financing debates, political scrutiny and environmental concerns, completion of three-quarters of the pipeline marks Uganda’s strongest step yet toward joining the ranks of oil-exporting nations nearly two decades after the first discoveries in the Albertine region.
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