East African Oil Pipeline Set to Begin Operations in July 2026
Dar es Salaam, 7 February 2026
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced that the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline could see its first tanker departing from Tanga port by July 2026, marking a pivotal moment for East African energy exports. The 1,443-kilometre pipeline will transport Ugandan crude oil at 50°C with capacity for 230,000 barrels daily, representing a £3.5 billion investment that could reshape regional economic integration and energy security for both nations.
Presidential Summit Strengthens Bilateral Energy Partnership
The announcement emerged during high-level discussions between President Hassan and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Dar es Salaam, on 7 February 2026 [1]. President Hassan emphasised the collaborative nature of the project, stating that “We thank God and we thank our brothers for our discussions, starting from July, perhaps the first ship will leave Tanga where oil is taken” [2]. This visit by Museveni came just days after Uganda’s general elections, demonstrating the priority both nations place on maintaining momentum for the project [1]. The meeting underscored what President Hassan described as Uganda’s demonstration of “how much Uganda values its partnership with our country, built on the foundations of brotherhood, neighbourliness, and mutual respect” [1].
Technical Specifications and Economic Scale
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline represents a remarkable feat of engineering infrastructure, stretching 1,443 kilometres from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to Tanzania’s Tanga port [1]. The pipeline’s design accommodates Uganda’s waxy crude oil, requiring heating to approximately 50°C for transport, with a daily capacity of up to 230,000 barrels [1]. The technical architecture involves a 24-inch insulated pipeline buried along its entire length, with the top positioned one metre below the surface [1]. Of the total distance, the first 296 kilometres traverse Uganda, whilst the remaining 1147 kilometres extend through Tanzania [1]. The project’s shareholding structure reflects the international cooperation underpinning the venture, with TotalEnergies holding 62 per cent, Uganda National Oil Company and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation each maintaining 15 per cent, and CNOOC retaining 8 per cent [1].
Regional Infrastructure Integration and Trade Facilitation
Beyond oil transportation, the presidential discussions encompassed broader regional infrastructure development, including plans to integrate rail networks through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and construction of pipelines for natural gas and petroleum [1]. President Hassan specifically requested Uganda to extend the SGR from Lusahunga to Tanzania, demonstrating the interconnected nature of East African infrastructure planning [6]. The talks addressed critical trade facilitation measures, with President Hassan emphasising “the need to remove non-tariff barriers that hinder trade between the two nations, aiming to boost economic growth and cooperation” [1]. Museveni highlighted improvements to access at the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, alongside railway connectivity enhancements [1].
Strategic Security and Economic Implications
The pipeline project extends beyond economic considerations to encompass regional security dynamics, with both leaders discussing joint efforts for stability in the Great Lakes Region [1]. President Hassan stated that Tanzania stands ready to support President Museveni “in promoting peace and security in the Great Lakes region” [6]. Museveni emphasised that “Africa’s prosperity lies in production, value addition and strategic security,” positioning the pipeline as part of a broader continental development strategy [1]. The project’s completion timeline aligns with the investment agreement signed on 1 February 2022, which authorised implementation and brought the venture close to fruition [2]. These discussions reflect what President Hassan characterised as “our shared commitment to regional development and enhancing the prosperity of our people” [1].