By Charles Mkoka
Dar
es Salaam– The ambitious East African Crude Oil Pipeline
(EACOP) project has reached 47.1% completion and is on track for a July 2026
completion date. This monumental project, launched in response to Uganda’s
discovery of approximately 6.5 billion barrels of oil, has rapidly progressed
due to close collaboration between the Governments of Tanzania and Uganda,
along with key partners including TotalEnergies from France and China’s CNOOC.
With
a pipeline stretching 1,147 kilometers across Tanzania alone, the project traverses
eight regions — Kagera, Geita, Shinyanga, Tabora, Singida, Dodoma, Manyara, and
Tanga — comprising nearly 80% of the pipeline’s total length.
Land
acquisition efforts have met Tanzanian Land Act standards and International
Finance Performance Standards, ensuring transparency and fairness for the 9,927
Tanzanian residents impacted. As of October 31, 2024, all 340 homes planned for
relocation have been built and handed over to 294 families, achieving a 100%
handover rate. The acquisition process has been paired with educational
outreach to inform communities about resettlement and project benefits.
Since
work began in February 2022, EACOP has generated over $304.95 million (roughly
Sh 821.1 billion) in local procurement, providing a vital economic boost to
Tanzanian businesses.
The
project has also created 8,694 jobs for Tanzanians, with 6,430 citizens
currently employed across various construction zones and project offices in Dar
es Salaam. Over the entire construction phase, an estimated 7,030 Tanzanians
will gain employment, underscoring the project’s substantial impact on local
job creation.
EACOP’s
long-term benefits go beyond employment. The project has improved electrical
infrastructure by upgrading power stations in key locations including Kibete,
Bulyanhulu, Lusu, and Majani Mapana, facilitating better electricity access for
residents near the pipeline route. Additionally, EACOP’s efforts to enhance
water accessibility have led to the construction of a 24-kilometer pipeline,
capable of delivering 3 million liters of water daily to communities around
Chongoleani.
This pipeline can provide water connections
for up to 20,000 households, while other water projects in Muheza, Sindeni, and
Kwedigongo will further expand access to clean water for local communities and
schools.
Training
has been a crucial focus of the project. EACOP recently trained 148 Tanzanian
and Ugandan workers through specialized programs at Arusha Technical College,
VETA Moshi, and Uganda Petroleum Institute – Kigumba, preparing them for roles
in pipeline management. Once operational, EACOP will employ 114 Tanzanian
workers and 34 Ugandans.
In
terms of government revenue, Tanzania has received approximately TZS 50 billion
from EACOP through permits, land leases, utility fees, and taxes, adding a
significant source of public income. The government has also benefited from
technology transfer as international experts train local professionals to
manage the advanced technology behind the pipeline.
The
EACOP project, a testament to regional collaboration, is expected to contribute
substantially to Tanzania’s socio-economic development while bringing about
significant financial, infrastructural, and technological benefits.
By
ensuring a responsible, transparent approach, the governments and partner
organizations are positioning EACOP as a game-changer in East Africa’s energy
sector, aimed at empowering communities and fueling regional growth well beyond
its completion date.
