Uganda, Tanzania say first crude exports via EACOP will start in October 2026

Energy ministers from Uganda and Tanzania have announced that the first exports of crude oil from Uganda’s oilfields via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will take place in October 2026.

The announcement was made on January 5 during a high-level stakeholder meeting in Dar es Salaam, The East African reported. With the project having reached a 79% completion in December last year, government officials reviewed its progress and coordination ahead of planned first crude exports.

The project is being developed by a consortium led by French supermajor TotalEnergies (Euronext: TTE), alongside China National Offshore Oil Company (SSE:600938), the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).

Uganda’s delegation was headed by Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa and included officials from the energy ministry and representatives of the UNOC, the National Petroleum Council and EACOP Ltd, the project developer. Tanzania’s delegation was led by Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi and brought together officials from the Ministry of Energy, the TPDC and the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA).

The officials assessed progress on construction of the pipeline itself, associated above-ground facilities, the marine terminal in Tanga and related infrastructure. It was noted that construction activity was at its highest level and remained on schedule to achieve start-up readiness by July 31, 2026.

EACOP is the world’s longest heated crude pipeline, running at roughly 50°C to allow the transportation of Uganda’s waxy crude. As reported by The East African, once fully operational, it is expected to move as much as 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, from where the crude will be exported by tankers.

The project has faced opposition from environmental and human rights organisations, which argue it poses climate risks and has led to the displacement of tens of thousands of landowners along its 1,443-kilometre corridor connecting Uganda’s Lake Albert basin with the port of Tanga at the Chongoleani peninsula in Tanzania.

However, despite earlier delays linked to financing, procurement and environmental opposition, construction has advanced steadily, with developers maintaining that the project remains within its revised delivery timeline.

EACOP is estimated to require about $5bn in total capital expenditure, making it one of the most expensive infrastructure projects ever undertaken in East Africa. According to Nankabirwa, strong political backing and cooperation between the two governments has helped to secure financing and sustain construction momentum.

As reported by NewsBase, Uganda’s Tilenga and Kingfisher upstream developments are each budgeted at several billion dollars, lifting total investment across Uganda’s oil export system well above $10bn.

TotalEnergies and CNOOC say the EACOP and the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects have been designed to limit carbon emissions. According to the joint venture partners, around 80% of the pipeline’s electricity demand is expected to be met by solar power installed along the route, with the balance supplied from the national grid instead of fossil fuel-based generation.