East African Nations Strengthen Energy Cooperation Through Strategic Regulatory Partnership
Tanzania’s Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority, alongside the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Uganda’s Petroleum Authority, have formalized a comprehensive cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing regional oil and gas development. The memorandum of understanding covers critical areas including resource management, petroleum data management, cost auditing, and community participation in energy projects.
The partnership comes as both countries advance the ambitious East African Crude Oil Pipeline project, a $4 billion infrastructure investment that will transport oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to Tanzania’s Tanga Port. The 1,443-kilometer buried pipeline, 80% of which runs through Tanzania, features thermal insulation and six pumping stations designed to facilitate efficient crude oil export to global markets.
Beyond the immediate pipeline benefits, the regulatory cooperation framework addresses health, safety, and environmental standards while supporting the formulation of laws and regulations governing exploration, development, and production activities. The initiative is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and knowledge sharing between the regulatory bodies.
The EACOP project represents a transformative development for both nations, creating new infrastructure corridors, logistics networks, and technology transfer opportunities while improving livelihoods for communities along the route.
Source: dailynews.co.tz
