Uganda and Tanzania Set October 2026 for Historic First Oil Exports Through World’s Longest Heated Pipeline
In a major milestone for East African energy development, Uganda and Tanzania have announced that crude oil will begin flowing through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Eacop) in October 2026, marking Uganda’s entry into the ranks of oil-exporting nations.
The ambitious project, which stands at 79 percent completion as of late December 2025, was confirmed by energy ministers from both countries during a high-level stakeholder meeting in Dar es Salaam on January 5. Uganda’s Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa and Tanzania’s Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi reviewed construction progress across the pipeline, above-ground installations, the marine terminal in Tanga, and supporting infrastructure, confirming that works remain on track for startup readiness by July 31, 2026.
Eacop represents a remarkable engineering achievement as the world’s longest heated pipeline, stretching 1,443 kilometers from Uganda’s Lake Albert basin to the Chongoleani peninsula at the Port of Tanga in Tanzania. The pipeline will operate at approximately 50°C to transport Uganda’s waxy crude oil, with peak capacity designed to carry up to 230,000 barrels of oil per day to Tanga, where the crude will be loaded onto tankers for export.
Minister Nankabirwa acknowledged ongoing criticism from environmental and human rights groups, who have described the project as a climate risk and raised concerns about the displacement of tens of thousands of landowners along its route. However, she emphasized that strong political backing and cooperation between the two governments had proven crucial in securing financing and sustaining construction momentum during challenging periods.
In a nod to environmental concerns, Uganda’s joint venture partners, TotalEnergies and CNOOC, have outlined plans to power approximately 80 percent of the pipeline’s electricity needs using solar installations along the route, with the remaining 20 percent supplied from the grid rather than fuel-based generation. The upstream Tilenga and Kingfisher projects are also designed with carbon emissions management in mind.
The project represents a transformative moment for Uganda’s economy, promising significant revenue generation and job creation as the country prepares to join the community of oil-exporting nations after years of development delays and financing challenges.
Source: theeastafrican.co.ke
