TotalEnergies has long played a valuable role across Africa, developing energy projects that deliver the vital energy needed for everyday life in the most sustainable way possible. With more than 100 years of operations behind the global company, TotalEnergies today delivers its expertise across more than 130 countries, with the goal of making energy more affordable, accessible and sustainable. In Africa, TotalEnergies’ operations are vast, with major projects spanning many countries. One of the most notable operations is in Uganda, where TotalEnergies plays a key part in the country’s energy development through the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Tilenga Project.
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Since 1995, TotalEnergies has been focused on developing Uganda’s energy landscape, with operations spanning downstream developments, including service stations, to upstream exploration and production. TotalEnergies’ downstream segment is led by TotalEnergies Marketing Uganda Ltd, which focuses on developing the company’s downstream sector to make everyday fuels more accessible across the country. However, from this focus on the downstream sector, TotalEnergies sought new developments upstream and so began vital exploration and production operations. Today, TotalEnergies’ exploration and production operations have vastly expanded, and the division is now home to two vital energy projects set to enhance Uganda’s energy sector for the future.
Across all of TotalEnergies’ operations in Uganda, the company is focused on positioning itself as the preferred oil company for its customers that is set on delivering sustainable shareholder value by providing high-quality petroleum products and services. In Uganda, TotalEnergies works alongside CNOOC Uganda and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) to expand the country’s exploration and production segment, and in the process, deliver the vital energy resources needed across Uganda. These companies are part of a joint venture partnership, which sees TotalEnergies hold a 56.6% interest, with CNNOC and UNOC holding 28.33% and 15% respectively.
The first major project under the joint venture partnership is the Tilenga Project, which is a vital energy development set on delivering vital oil production in a way that is low in cost and low in emissions. The project is located in the Buliisa and Nwoya districts and is an expansive development spanning 6 oil fields, where over 400 wells will be drilled across 31 well pads. The central purpose of the joint venture is to oversee and develop the upstream sector of Uganda, making the most of oil deposits within the Lake Albert region. At peak production, the Tilenga project is expected to deliver 190,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), delivering significant oil development for Uganda. At present, the Tilenga Project is still under construction, but it is expected to begin production this year.
The second key project is the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which works alongside the Tilenga Project to transfer oil from the project to TotalEnergies downstream services. Collectively, these projects aim to help deliver a streamlined and well-connected upstream sector, which seamlessly connects via the pipeline’s midstream operations to TotalEnergies downstream services. EACOP is operated by EACOP Ltd., and shareholders TotalEnergies East African Midstream holds a 63% share, whilst UNOC (15%), CNOOC (8%) and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) (15%) hold the remaining shares.
The pipeline is not only valuable for Uganda’s energy development, but also for neighbouring Tanzania, as the pipeline will connect the oil from the Tilenga Project to the Port of Tanga. At the port, the oil from the project will then be stored in terminals, and loaded onto the port’s jetty and distributed to end markets. Thus, the pipeline represents a vital investment in the region’s energy delivery, making oil from the Tilenga more readily accessible to end markets. Much like the Tilenga Project, the development of the EACOP is still in progress, with the pipeline expected to be ready for its first crude oil exports in late 2026.
Across the Tilenga and EACOP projects, around $2 billion has been invested in contracts with local firms, and the construction phase has created around 80,000 direct and indirect jobs alone. Thus, whilst the project is vital for the energy delivery of Uganda, the development will bring continued economic benefits to those across Uganda and Tanzania, and will see significant growth of both countries’ economies in the process. Furthermore, to ensure the long-term success of the project within the local community, TotalEnergies continues to put Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the heart of its operations. In doing so, TotalEnergies can ensure its operations protect the safety and security of people and its facilities, limit its environmental footprint and ensure that local stakeholders are kept in dialogue to make sure that developments are meeting and delivering economic and social development for shared value across the region.
In October, TotalEnergies Uganda highlighted its work within the local community through its partnership with World Vision Uganda. The partnership saw newly constructed and rehabilitated classrooms, staff houses and improved latrines handed over to the Kirama and Kisomere Primary Schools within the Buliisa District. The facilities are part of the company’s 2025 projects designed to support the local district and help deliver better learning outcomes and strengthen the region’s institutional capacity. At the ceremony, Phillipe Groueix, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, outlined that “Today, as we hand over this infrastructure, we celebrate a vision in action where strategic partnerships and investment in education lay the foundation for resilient, informed, and empowered communities”.
Groueix continues, “By enhancing learning environments, empowering teachers and school managers, and providing essential resources, we are preparing them to participate in the development of their communities in the future. This initiative reflects our long-term commitment to creating shared value and supporting the holistic development of the Tilenga Project host communities.” As we can see from this vital partnership, TotalEnergies is focused on supporting local communities in areas such as youth inclusion and education, to support the continued development of those most impacted by its operations.
Speaking on TotalEnergies overall role in Uganda, Phillipe Groueix, outlines, “We are proud to be part of Uganda’s energy journey by supporting the development of not only oil and gas resources but also renewables in line with our multi-energy ambition. Our ambition is anchored on our desire to achieve together with society net zero emissions by 2050 and to foster sustainable development in the countries where we operate”. Grouiex’s comments highlight how TotalEnergies Uganda’s projects are founded on a commitment to deliver vital energy resources but in the most sustainable way possible, whilst supporting the local communities in which they operate at every step. It is this focus on sustainability that can be seen across all aspects of its operations, ensuring that Tilenga and EACOP are being developed in a transparent, socially and environmentally friendly manner.
Across TotalEnergies’ operations in Uganda, there is a vital focus on delivering key energy projects that will enhance the country’s energy potential and deliver vital economic and social impacts for the future. From key downstream operations to the vital developments in Uganda’s upstream sector, with the Tilenga and EACOP projects, TotalEnergies is focused on delivering low-cost and low-emission projects that are designed for the future, while protecting the planet for today. We look forward to seeing how the Tilenga Project and EACOP will develop over the coming years once they come online later this year.
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