Overview:
EACOP has conducted numerous training sessions for SMEs and vocational institutions. Discussions are also underway with Makerere University in Kampala to integrate energy sector knowledge into their curriculum.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has reached the 58% completion mark, officials announced during the recent 2025 Energy Convention in Kampala.
Natasha Kassami, the National Content and Capacity Building Lead for EACOP, shared the progress update with delegates at the event organized by the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals.
The 1,443-kilometer (approximately 897 miles) pipeline, spearheaded by EACOP, will transport crude oil from Kabaale in Uganda to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.
Speaking in Kampala, Kassami detailed that engineering work on the project is nearing completion at 98%, while the procurement of essential equipment stands at 83%. She also noted that nearly 80% of the pipeline has already been manufactured in China and shipped to Tanzania for its initial protective coating.
Significant progress has also been made on the ground, with 553 kilometers (about 344 miles) of the pipeline now thermally insulated, 233 kilometers (about 145 miles) welded, and 57 kilometers (about 35 miles) coated. Notably, 17 kilometers (about 10.5 miles) of the pipeline have already been buried.
The pipeline’s infrastructure includes plans for six pump stations and two pressure reduction stations, with two of each situated in Uganda. Foundation work and equipment installations are currently underway at these Ugandan sites. The project also incorporates advanced monitoring systems, such as fibre optics and “pig launchers,” to ensure the pipeline’s operational integrity and safety.
Kassami emphasized the project’s commitment to local content, highlighting that 90% of the current workforce of 2,483 are Ugandan nationals. The project has also recorded over 8 million man-hours.
Since 2022, EACOP has invested approximately $111 million in local goods and services. Furthermore, 74 Ugandan graduates have received technical training internationally, with many now employed by EACOP contractors.
To support local businesses, EACOP has conducted numerous training sessions for SMEs and vocational institutions. Discussions are also underway with Makerere University in Kampala to integrate energy sector knowledge into their curriculum.
EACOP is preparing for the operational phase through its Field Operations Training Academy, having already trained 141 field operators.
“Our goal is to deliver meaningful impact,” Kassami stated in Kampala, emphasizing the project’s role in fostering long-term national growth through skills development and partnerships.