EACOP Pipeline Reaches 64.5% Completion, Generates $19.5 Million for Tanzania
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), also known as the Uganda–Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline (UTCOP), has reached a major implementation milestone, with 64.5% of construction now complete.
The $5 billion cross-border infrastructure project has already generated over TSh50 billion (approximately $19.5 million) in revenue for Tanzania through taxes, levies, and construction-related charges.
Spanning 1,443 kilometers, EACOP is set to become the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline. It will transport Uganda’s waxy crude oil from Kabaale-Hoima in western Uganda to the Chongoleani Peninsula, near Tanzania’s Tanga Port.
This strategic project is central to East Africa’s energy agenda and is expected to play a key role in regional economic transformation.
According to official projections, EACOP is anticipated to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in both Uganda and Tanzania by more than 60% during the construction phase.
To ensure the safe and efficient transport of Uganda’s viscous crude, the pipeline is equipped with electrical heating elements and embedded fiber-optic cables.
The heating system prevents the oil from solidifying, while the fiber-optic network enables real-time monitoring, satellite tracking, and rapid leak detection, minimizing environmental risks.
In addition to the export route, a domestic refinery will be established in Hoima, Uganda. This will allow part of the crude oil to be refined for local consumption, while the remainder is exported via the Tanga terminal—positioning the project within global energy supply chains.
EACOP is a joint venture led by TotalEnergies (62%), with participation from the Uganda National Oil Company (15%), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (15%), and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (8%).
Tanzania’s EACOP Project Coordinator, Mr. Asiadi Mrutu, shared in a televised interview on TBC1 that the project has created employment for 1,200 Tanzanians so far, including 346 workers from communities near the pipeline, such as Chongoleani.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for local job creation and infrastructure development,” he said.
Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy spokesperson, Ms. Neema Mbuja, also praised the project’s progress, confirming it remains aligned with the 2021 implementation agreement.
While the project has faced scrutiny over environmental concerns and financing hurdles, it continues to advance steadily.
EACOP represents a bold and strategic effort by Uganda and Tanzania to harness their natural resources for sustainable economic growth and enhanced regional trade integration.
