popular articles

EACOP completes initial funding round despite mounting pressure in Uganda

EACOP has confirmed the closure of an initial tranche of external financing for its 1,443 km pipeline, as several NGOs urge participating banks to withdraw from the project.

Please share:

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) company has announced the completion of an initial tranche of external financing for the construction of the world’s longest heated oil pipeline, connecting western Uganda to Tanzania’s coastline. The development is part of a $10bn investment programme led by TotalEnergies, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania.

The 1,443-kilometre pipeline is designed to transport crude oil extracted from the Lake Albert basin to the Indian Ocean. The plan also includes the drilling of over 400 oil wells in western Uganda. The programme is positioned as a strategic economic initiative for the involved parties, though it faces significant opposition due to its impact on ecologically sensitive areas.

Involved financial institutions

The first round of financing is supported by a consortium of institutions including the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), South Africa’s Standard Bank, two Ugandan banks, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD). EACOP welcomed the development, describing it as a key milestone in the project’s implementation.

In response, several civil society organisations have called on the banks to reconsider their involvement. Samuel Okulony, Executive Director of the Uganda-based Environment Governance Institute, said the financing decisions were “disappointing”, noting Uganda is already grappling with the consequences of climate change, citing recent floods in Kampala.

Legal and social opposition to the project

Ugandan lawyer Kato Tumusiime, who represents young activists jailed for protesting the project, has urged financial institutions to withdraw their support. Four of his clients remain in detention, facing public nuisance charges. He also condemned reported human rights abuses in areas affected by the pipeline, including incidents of violence and intimidation.

EACOP expressed “strong disagreement” with these allegations, while the Ugandan government referred to them as mere “allegations”. Despite the ongoing criticism, President Yoweri Museveni remains a staunch supporter of the project, describing it as vital for national economic development.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

PetroChina posts record net profit in 2024, driven by rising oil and gas volumes and expanded refining and distribution operations.
Chinese oil group CNOOC Limited reported higher net profit for 2024, driven by growing reserves, record production and strict cost discipline.
Chinese oil group CNOOC Limited reported higher net profit for 2024, driven by growing reserves, record production and strict cost discipline.
The US Energy Information Administration reported an unexpected decline in crude oil inventories, reversing analysts' forecasts of an increase, with immediate effects on crude prices.
The US Energy Information Administration reported an unexpected decline in crude oil inventories, reversing analysts' forecasts of an increase, with immediate effects on crude prices.
Cut off from Iranian energy imports by Washington, Iraq accelerates commercial efforts in Africa while resuming oil exports through Turkey to quickly secure new economic and energy markets.
Cut off from Iranian energy imports by Washington, Iraq accelerates commercial efforts in Africa while resuming oil exports through Turkey to quickly secure new economic and energy markets.
Drydocks World has secured a contract to extend the operational life of the Baobab MV10 offshore platform in Côte d’Ivoire by 15 years through refurbishment and upgrade works.
Amid trade tensions with the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is reviving pipeline projects toward the Arctic to directly access European and Asian markets, diversifying Canada's oil exports.
Amid trade tensions with the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is reviving pipeline projects toward the Arctic to directly access European and Asian markets, diversifying Canada's oil exports.
According to Offshore Energies UK, Britain's oil and gas potential in the North Sea is limited by a tax regime that hinders investments needed to boost national production, increasing dependency on imports.
According to Offshore Energies UK, Britain's oil and gas potential in the North Sea is limited by a tax regime that hinders investments needed to boost national production, increasing dependency on imports.
US authorities have extended Chevron’s temporary licence to operate in Venezuela until 27 May, despite Donald Trump’s warnings of tariffs on imports from countries trading with Caracas.
US authorities have extended Chevron’s temporary licence to operate in Venezuela until 27 May, despite Donald Trump’s warnings of tariffs on imports from countries trading with Caracas.
Senator Yannick Jadot appears in court in Paris for defamation after accusing TotalEnergies of being “an accomplice to war crimes” due to its presence in Russia in 2022.
Shell Brasil approves the offshore Gato do Mato project development, targeting production of 120,000 barrels per day by 2029, further consolidating its position as Brazil’s leading foreign oil producer.
Shell Brasil approves the offshore Gato do Mato project development, targeting production of 120,000 barrels per day by 2029, further consolidating its position as Brazil’s leading foreign oil producer.
The Equatoguinean government has announced an immediate increase in fuel prices, citing outdated tariffs and budget constraints driven by a prolonged decline in oil exports.
The Equatoguinean government has announced an immediate increase in fuel prices, citing outdated tariffs and budget constraints driven by a prolonged decline in oil exports.
The South African government is intensifying efforts to exploit its vast oil and gas reserves to stimulate national economic growth and boost public revenue.
The South African government is intensifying efforts to exploit its vast oil and gas reserves to stimulate national economic growth and boost public revenue.
A North Dakota jury ordered Greenpeace to pay more than $665 million to Energy Transfer, triggering international reactions denouncing an attack on freedom of expression.
Ecuador has detected a new oil spill in a pipeline located in the Amazonian province of Napo, near its main hydroelectric plant, raising concerns over the country’s energy supply.
Ecuador has detected a new oil spill in a pipeline located in the Amazonian province of Napo, near its main hydroelectric plant, raising concerns over the country’s energy supply.
Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have submitted compensation plans to OPEC+ to offset their production surplus in February, amid falling crude prices and the gradual reduction of cuts planned for April.
Iraq and the United Arab Emirates have submitted compensation plans to OPEC+ to offset their production surplus in February, amid falling crude prices and the gradual reduction of cuts planned for April.
US commercial oil stocks increased by 1.7 million barrels last week, a figure higher than forecasts, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
US commercial oil stocks increased by 1.7 million barrels last week, a figure higher than forecasts, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
A fire damaged the Trans Niger Delta Pipeline in Nigeria, the country's main pipeline. The incident was swiftly controlled, although details of material and environmental damage remain unclear.
Eni has entered into an agreement to sell stakes in assets in Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Congo to Vitol for $1.65 billion, as part of its portfolio rebalancing strategy.
Eni has entered into an agreement to sell stakes in assets in Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Congo to Vitol for $1.65 billion, as part of its portfolio rebalancing strategy.
The hydrocarbon spill on a pipeline in Ecuador has led Petroecuador to reduce its oil exports, affecting the local water supply and biodiversity.
The hydrocarbon spill on a pipeline in Ecuador has led Petroecuador to reduce its oil exports, affecting the local water supply and biodiversity.
Wood Mackenzie forecasts a $7 drop in Brent oil prices in 2025, with an average estimate of $73 per barrel, driven by OPEC+ production strategies and US tariff policies.
Wood Mackenzie forecasts a $7 drop in Brent oil prices in 2025, with an average estimate of $73 per barrel, driven by OPEC+ production strategies and US tariff policies.
Shell has completed the sale of its 30% stake in the oil and gas joint venture Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Nigeria for $2.4 billion. This transaction marks a new phase in the group's strategy to concentrate on offshore projects.
Athabasca Oil obtains TSX approval to repurchase up to 50.4 million common shares, reflecting a clear strategy of redistributing liquidity to shareholders, fully funded by its available free cash flow in 2025.
Athabasca Oil obtains TSX approval to repurchase up to 50.4 million common shares, reflecting a clear strategy of redistributing liquidity to shareholders, fully funded by its available free cash flow in 2025.
A landslide caused the rupture of the SOTE pipeline in Ecuador, leading to an oil spill in the Esmeraldas River. Authorities have declared an environmental emergency in the Esmeraldas region.
A landslide caused the rupture of the SOTE pipeline in Ecuador, leading to an oil spill in the Esmeraldas River. Authorities have declared an environmental emergency in the Esmeraldas region.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will reconsider the rule limiting CO2 emissions from power plants. This decision is part of the Trump administration's continued deregulatory agenda.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will reconsider the rule limiting CO2 emissions from power plants. This decision is part of the Trump administration's continued deregulatory agenda.

Advertising