TANZANIA: Crude oil pipeline, a boon for East African economies

By 

Rosemary Mirondo

 Business Reporter

Mwananchi Communications Ltd 

Monday, November 25, 2024

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Energy, Dr James Mataragio. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

• “The Uganda-Tanzania partnership, anchored by the East African crude oil pipeline, serves as a model for regional integration and mutual development,”

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Dar es Salaam. The government has underscored the significance of sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), describing it as a landmark project that symbolizes regional cooperation and fosters economic growth.

Speaking at the Uganda-Tanzania Oil and Gas Networking Forum on November 22, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Energy, Dr James Mataragio, said the pipeline was important in boosting regional economies, creating jobs, and supporting the growth of sustainable industries.

“The East African crude oil pipeline contributes to the development of regional economies by creating jobs and building sustainable industries,” Dr Mataragio said during the event hosted by the High Commission of Uganda in Tanzania. Dr Mataragio lauded the leadership of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni and Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan for their commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. “The visionary leadership of our presidents has fostered a partnership that positions Uganda and Tanzania as key players in the region’s energy sector,” he noted. He further emphasised that this collaboration has created an enabling environment for investment, presenting significant opportunities for both local and international stakeholders. Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Colonel (rtd) Fred Mwesigye, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the transformative potential of the oil and gas sector. “The Uganda-Tanzania partnership, anchored by the East African crude oil pipeline, serves as a model for regional integration and mutual development,” he said. He urged stakeholders to prioritize knowledge-sharing and leverage the opportunities emerging from the sector. “Today’s forum demonstrates our shared commitment to unlocking the potential of our oil and gas resources. This partnership is about more than infrastructure—it’s about fostering private sector linkages, creating jobs, and ensuring sustainable development,” Mr Mwesigye said. The forum brought together key stakeholders from Uganda, Tanzania, and the region to discuss opportunities in the oil and gas sector, with a focus on regional integration and economic cooperation.

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