“`html
Three-quarters of one of Africa’s most ambitious and controversial infrastructure projects is now complete, edging Uganda closer to becoming a crude oil exporter after years of delay and opposition. But behind the construction milestones lie deep concerns about environmental impact, social disruption, and the region’s climate future.
What Happened
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline, a $5 billion project spanning 1,443 kilometers from Uganda’s oil-rich Albertine Graben to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, has reached 75% completion. All pipes have been delivered along the route, and construction continues to surge forward. The pipeline is designed to transport initially 216,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with a planned increase up to 246,000 barrels daily.
This pipeline, set to become the world’s longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline, will facilitate Uganda’s first oil exports, planned for the second half of 2026. The project is central to Uganda’s energy ambitions and is backed by major investors, including French and Chinese state-owned enterprises. As it nears completion, Uganda aims to unlock significant economic benefits, but the project also faces continuing challenges from environmental groups and local communities.
Why It Matters
Economic and Geopolitical Impact
The pipeline will transform East Africa’s crude oil landscape, positioning Uganda as a new oil exporter while boosting Tanzania’s transit revenues and infrastructure development. This includes upgrades to Tanzania’s Tanga port and improvements in roads, power, and fiber-optic networks.
For Uganda and the wider region, EACOP symbolizes economic progress and energy independence, promising a new era of resource development that has long been delayed due to technical and financing challenges.
Environmental and Social Concerns
Despite economic promises, the project carries significant environmental risks. The pipeline crosses sensitive ecosystems and protected wildlife habitats, disrupting nearly 2,000 square kilometers of vital conservation areas. This threatens endangered species and disrupts critical animal migration corridors.
Communities along the pipeline’s path face displacement and disruption. Over 120,000 people have been affected by forced relocations related to the pipeline and associated oil projects. Moreover, the project is anticipated to generate approximately 34 million tons of carbon emissions annually, locking East Africa into a carbon-intensive future at odds with global climate targets.
Key Details
- The pipeline route stretches from Uganda’s Kabaale region through multiple districts in Uganda and Tanzania before reaching the Indian Ocean.
- It features six pumping stations and requires electrical heating to maintain crude oil at 50°C due to its waxy composition.
- Construction on upstream oil fields — specifically Tilenga and Kingfisher — is also progressing, with respective completions around 60% and 74%.
- Project developers have worked to minimize environmental footprint through route planning, drilling techniques, and commitments to use solar power for pumping stations.
- More than $3.3 billion has been invested so far, with an additional $4 billion expected for upstream development through 2027.
What Comes Next
As construction approaches completion, Uganda targets to begin oil production in late 2026, marking a major milestone for the country and East African energy markets. However, the project remains under scrutiny from environmental watchdogs, civil society groups, and local communities demanding further transparency and safeguards.
Balancing economic development with environmental protection and social responsibility remains a core challenge. The pipeline’s fate and impact will increasingly depend on how these complex issues are managed amid mounting climate imperatives and local resistance.
In the coming years, the EACOP will not only shape Uganda’s economic destiny but serve as a critical test case for large-scale fossil fuel infrastructure projects in Africa and their compatibility with sustainable development goals.
“`
