Uganda and Tanzania officials announced this week that crude oil exports via East Africa’s longest crude oil pipeline are expected to begin in October, marking a milestone for East Africa’s entry into the global energy market.

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a 1,443-kilometer (897-mile) project connecting Uganda’s Albertine Graben to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, achieved 60% completion in the first half of 2025 and was approximately 75% complete as of late December, according to a joint statement.

The progress report follows a high-level meeting in Dar es Salaam on Jan. 5, where energy ministers from both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the $5 billion infrastructure project. 

Uganda’s Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa and Tanzania’s Energy Minister Deogratius Ndejembi reviewed progress on the pipeline, above-ground installations, and the marine export terminal.

"EACOP is the backbone of Uganda’s crude oil exports and a key driver for economic transformation," said Ernest Rubondo, chief executive of the Uganda Petroleum Authority.

Construction is currently at peak levels, with officials targeting "start-up readiness" by July 31. The project has already seen an investment of $3.3 billion, with all pipeline segments already laid.

Once operational, EACOP will be the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline. It is specifically designed to transport Uganda’s waxy crude at a temperature of about 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) to keep the product liquid.

At full capacity, the pipeline is expected to move up to 230,000 barrels of oil per day to the Indian Ocean for international shipment.

The long-delayed project is essential for Uganda to tap into its estimated 6.5 billion barrels of crude reserves and establish itself as a major oil producer in Africa. However, officials noted that long-term success remains tied to global oil price stability and the timely completion of necessary upstream infrastructure.