East Africa is preparing to enter the global crude oil export market as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) nears completion, paving the way for Uganda’s first commercial crude oil shipments.
The 1,443-kilometre electrically heated pipeline, which runs from Uganda’s Lake Albert oil fields to the Port of Tanga in Tanzania, is in its final phase of construction. The project is expected to be completed by the end of July, with crude oil exports projected to commence in October.
The pipeline will transport oil from Uganda’s Tilenga and Kingfisher fields to international buyers through Tanzania’s coastline. Once operational, it will become the world’s longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline.
The infrastructure is expected to move more than 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily, marking a historic milestone as Uganda prepares to export commercially produced crude oil for the first time.
Officials believe the project will strengthen the economies of both Uganda and Tanzania by creating jobs, improving infrastructure and boosting regional trade while positioning East Africa as an emerging player in the global energy market.
According to the pipeline developers, the system has been designed with advanced safety features, including pressure-tested infrastructure, continuous monitoring, leak detection technology and the ability to isolate affected sections in the event of an emergency. The pipeline will remain underground throughout its route and will be managed through several operational control centres.
Since construction began, the project has attracted global attention, with discussions centering on energy development, environmental protection and the welfare of communities along the pipeline corridor.
Environmental groups have continued to urge authorities to carefully protect ecosystems, wildlife habitats and water resources located along the pipeline route in both Uganda and Tanzania.
Ugandan officials maintain that the country’s petroleum resources will play a key role in driving long-term economic growth, with future oil revenues expected to support national development.
The project has attracted major international investment, including participation from French energy giant TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
The completion of EACOP will provide the critical infrastructure needed to commercialise oil reserves discovered in Uganda’s Lake Albert basin nearly 20 years ago. Production from the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil fields is expected to begin once the export pipeline becomes fully operational.
The launch of the pipeline will represent a major achievement for East Africa’s energy industry, officially bringing Uganda into the ranks of crude oil-exporting nations through a dedicated international export route.
