Uganda, Tanzania Hold High-Level Talks as EACOP Hits 79% Completion; First Oil Export Set for October 2026

By Nze Petero




DAR ES SALAAM – The roadmap to East Africa’s first major crude oil export reached a critical milestone this week as high-level delegations from Uganda and Tanzania convened in Dar es Salaam to finalize preparations for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Energy, served as a strategic coordination session to ensure both nations are aligned for the project's fast-approaching "start-up" phase. As of the end of December 2025, the EACOP project reached a significant 79% completion rate, with construction activities now operating at peak levels.

Energy ministers from both countries reviewed progress on the pipeline’s infrastructure, including above-ground installations and the critical marine terminal facilities at Tanga. According to the updated project timeline:

  • July 31, 2026: Target date for full system readiness and start-up.

  • October 2026: Expected window for the historic first export of Ugandan crude oil to international markets.

Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, led a robust delegation that included top officials from the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and the National Pipeline Company (NPC). Addressing the meeting, Dr. Nankabirwa praised the unwavering political support from Tanzania’s leadership, particularly following their recent successful elections.

"While the project has faced criticism, strong political leadership and cooperation between our two countries remain critical in sustaining momentum," Dr. Nankabirwa stated. She emphasized that the visit allowed her to move beyond technical reports to personally assess the ground-level progress of this strategic regional asset.



Hosting the delegation, Tanzania’s Minister for Energy, Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the project’s timely delivery. He highlighted Tanzania’s essential role in facilitating land access, regulatory approvals, and financing instruments that have allowed implementation to remain on schedule.

Minister Ndejembi presented a goodwill gift to Dr. Nankabirwa as a symbol of the strong bilateral relations between the two neighbors. In a reciprocal gesture, Dr. Nankabirwa invited her Tanzanian counterpart to visit Uganda to inspect Pump Station One, further cementing the partnership.

The meeting concluded with both governments and EACOP partners reaffirming their commitment to finishing the remaining 21% of the work safely and sustainably. With project teams currently working in "high gear," the countdown to October 2026—when Tanzania will host the official commissioning ceremony—has officially begun.

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