Uganda and Tanzania have reaffirmed their shared commitment to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project, showing the project’s role as a top symbol of regional cooperation and mutual economic interest between the two countries.

This was during a high-level stakeholder meeting held at the Tanzania Ministry of Energy in Dar es Salaam, co-led by Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon Dr Ruth Nankabirwa, and Tanzania’s Minister for Energy, Hon Deogratius Ndejembi on 5th January 2025.

The Ugandan delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC), and the National Petroleum Council (NPC). EACOP senior management and officials from Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), and the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) also attended.

The engagement formed part of ongoing bilateral coordination under the EACOP framework.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Nankabirwa said the project reflects the depth of cooperation between Kampala and Dodoma and the two governments’ shared resolve to deliver a strategic regional asset.

“The East African Crude Oil Pipeline is not just an infrastructure project; it is a product of strong partnership between Uganda and Tanzania, built on trust, cooperation, and shared prosperity,” she said.

The meeting reviewed progress on construction activities along the pipeline route, associated above-ground facilities, and the marine terminal in Tanga.

They both noted steady progress and reiterated the importance of close coordination to ensure smooth implementation across borders.

Hon. Ndejembi welcomed the Ugandan delegation and reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to the project, describing EACOP as a key pillar of bilateral relations.

“Our two governments remain fully committed to working together with EACOP partners to deliver this project safely, sustainably, and on schedule in the spirit of regional integration and mutual benefit,” Ndejembi said.

Both ministers emphasised that continued political support and institutional collaboration remain critical to the successful completion of the project, which is expected to strengthen economic ties and deepen regional integration between Uganda and Tanzania.

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline is one of the largest cross-border infrastructure projects in the region, designed to transport Uganda’s crude oil to the Tanzanian coast for export.