EACOP linked Uganda’s oil fields to Tanzania’s coast, overcoming, environmental & social challenges while creating jobs, boosting regional cooperation, improving infrastructure, and building capacity
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a 1,443 km heated pipeline developed to transport crude oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert Basin to the Port of Tanga in Tanzania for export. Following Uganda’s 2006 oil discovery, the project was established to support the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil developments and is owned by TotalEnergies, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), and CNOOC Uganda. Its objectives are to increase export revenues, create jobs and strengthen economic integration between Uganda and Tanzania.
During construction, the project encountered major challenges. Financing constraints emerged as several international lenders withdrew support due to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns. Land acquisition and resettlement activities affected thousands of households, creating issues related to compensation, livelihood restoration. Additional concerns focused on potential impacts to wetlands, biodiversity, water resources, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The project enhanced cooperation between Uganda and Tanzania, created employment opportunities. Environmental and social safeguards, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Resettlement Action Plans, were implemented to manage risks and community impacts. Key lessons learned include importance of stakeholder engagement, proactive environmental management, ESG integration, strong governance, effective risk management, and investment in local capacity.
ESIA expert with MSc and BSc from University of Dar es Salaam, 20+ years’ experience in environmental, social, HSE and risk management across energy, mining and NGO sectors. NEMC and IAIA member