The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has created more than 3,000 jobs in Singida Region, providing a major boost to local employment while opening up new business opportunities for communities living along the pipeline route.
Deputy Minister for Energy Salome Makamba said the project has enabled residents to earn income through a variety of economic activities, including food vending, transport services and the provision of other essential services required during construction.
Speaking on Friday during Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba’s tour of Iramba District, Makamba said the government is committed to ensuring that large-scale strategic investments translate into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
She said President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision is for the EACOP project to become more than a national infrastructure undertaking by directly improving the livelihoods of Tanzanians through employment creation, entrepreneurship and expanded economic opportunities.
“The goal is not only to grow the economy but also to ensure that communities hosting the project benefit through jobs and business opportunities,” she said.
Beyond employment, the project has stimulated local economies as residents supply goods and services to contractors and workers involved in the pipeline’s construction.
The increased demand for accommodation, transportation and food services has injected new income into surrounding communities.
Makamba also highlighted progress in the government’s rural electrification programme, saying all hamlets in Iramba District are expected to be connected to electricity by 2030.
Of the district’s 393 hamlets, 165 have already been electrified, while contractors are currently extending the grid to another 65 hamlets.
The expansion is expected to improve access to energy for households, businesses and social services, helping to unlock further economic potential in the area.
To improve service delivery, the government has allocated Sh285 million for the construction of a Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) office in Iramba.
The facility, which is expected to be completed before the end of the year, will bring electricity services closer to residents and businesses.
In addition, the government has invested Sh1.085 billion during the current financial year to upgrade electricity infrastructure in the district.
The funding is being used to strengthen the distribution network, reduce the length of power lines and install additional transformers to improve the reliability of electricity supply.
Makamba said improved access to electricity is critical for supporting businesses, attracting investment and enhancing the quality of life in rural communities.
The Deputy Minister also used the occasion to promote the government’s clean cooking energy agenda. She said Iramba District has received more than 1,000 improved cooking stoves and over 2,000 gas cookers as part of ongoing efforts to accelerate the adoption of cleaner and safer cooking technologies.
She urged men to support the initiative by investing in clean cooking solutions for their families, arguing that reducing dependence on traditional fuels would help save time, improve health outcomes and enable women to participate more actively in productive economic activities.
The remarks underscore the government’s broader strategy of using major infrastructure and energy projects to drive inclusive development, create jobs and improve living standards across the country.
As the EACOP project advances, communities in Singida are already beginning to experience the economic dividends of one of East Africa’s most significant energy investments.
