Dar es Salaam. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a flagship infrastructure project stretching 1,443 kilometres from Hoima in Uganda to Chongoleani in Tanga, Tanzania, has reached 60 percent completion, marking a major milestone for what is set to become the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline.
The progress update was shared on June 2, 2025, during an official inspection by the Board of Directors of the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura), who visited key construction sites in Chongoleani, Tanga Region.
Speaking on behalf of the board chairperson, the Chair of Ewura’s Energy Committee, Mr Ngosi Mwihava, expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the project.
“We are impressed by the progress made so far,” he said. “Ewura’s mandate goes beyond technical oversight, we are also keen to ensure that Tanzanians benefit through jobs, knowledge transfer, and increased business participation.”
The benefits are already tangible at community level.
According to the Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services at EACOP, Mr Geoffrey Mponda, the project has created more than 6,000 jobs to date, with approximately 70 percent of those employed coming from communities situated along the pipeline corridor.
“This project is not only about infrastructure; it is also about empowering local people,” Mr Mponda said.
Earlier in the day, the Ewura board paid a courtesy call to the Tanga Regional Commissioner, Ambassador Dr Batilda Burian, who echoed the project’s positive social and economic impact in the region.
“EACOP has brought real benefits to our communities,” said Dr Burian. “We are seeing growing involvement of local suppliers, many of whom are now listed in Ewura’s service providers database, ensuring Tanzanian businesses are not left behind.”
Tanzania holds a 15 percent equity stake in EACOP through the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), reflecting the government’s commitment to safeguarding national interests while positioning itself for a lasting role in the regional energy sector.
