The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project is significantly reshaping the economic landscape of Tanga Region, with communities along the pipeline route applauding President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration for unlocking meaningful development and livelihood opportunities.
As of July 2025, the project now 64.2 percent complete has delivered tangible socio-economic benefits to local communities through compensation, employment, and investment in skills and infrastructure.
Residents in affected areas say the Sixth Phase Government has not only facilitated the construction of a strategic oil pipeline but also created long-lasting impacts on individuals and households.
“I have never seen a project that has changed lives economically like this one. EACOP has opened doors for us,” said Loita Naftali, a resident of Chongoleani Ward.
“Apart from being built new houses and receiving a TZS 500,000 monthly livelihood allowance, we were also trained in entrepreneurship, modern farming, and livestock keeping. This is real transformation.”he added
Kassim Mwavezo Mbega, another resident, noted that the pipeline’s presence has revitalized Tanga’s economy.
“There is more money in circulation now. The construction of guesthouses, private homes, and the arrival of banks has increased because the project brings many visitors to Tanga,” he said.
The National Coordinator for the EACOP project at the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), Mr. Asiadi Mrutu, emphasized that the compensation process was implemented with international standards, offering not just financial settlement but also capacity-building support.
“Residents received specialized training in financial literacy, agribusiness, and modern animal husbandry to empower them beyond compensation,” said Mrutu.
“This has improved their livelihoods and created employment for locals around the project area.”he added
So far, the project has injected over TZS 10.4 billion into the local economy through compensation payments in Tanga Region alone, reaching 99.3 percent of affected persons. Only 12 individuals remain unresolved due to family or inheritance-related challenges.
Earlier in the day, a delegation from the Ministry of Energy, TPDC, and TBC visited the Tanga Regional Commissioner’s Office as part of a monitoring mission to assess the project’s implementation and community impact.
Acting Tanga Regional Administrative Secretary, Ms. Amina Kibunde Said, hailed the EACOP project as one of the most strategic and transparent investments underway in the country.
“EACOP has brought development to all six districts the pipeline crosses. Communities have seen improvements in water access, electricity, and household income,” she said.
“We are fully committed to supporting the project’s successful completion. Our youth have greatly benefited from the employment opportunities provided,” she added.
The EACOP project gives top priority to Tanzanian workers, with locals accounting for 80 percent of the workforce demonstrating the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
With EACOP rapidly progressing, it stands as a flagship model of how large-scale infrastructure projects can drive regional prosperity and uplift communities across Tanzania.