Technical committee formed as plans advance for Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali petroleum pipeline

Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan have established a Joint Technical Committee to oversee the development of the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali refined petroleum products pipeline.

The formation of the technical committee follows the reopening of talks between the four countries for extension of the pipeline in May.

Further discussions were held in Nairobi in July to establish the committee, which will guide the process of the construction of the pipeline which will carry different petroleum products.

The Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali pipeline was first conceptualized in 1995 and formalized in a 2013 agreement between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. However, implementation has faced delays.

In May 2024, the partner states revived discussions on the project, given its importance in reducing reliance on road transportation of oil, while ensuring a steady fuel supply for the region.

The decision to commission a joint technical committee was announced in Entebbe, Uganda at the beginning of the month, when representatives from partner states led by Uganda’s Minister for State for Energy, Okaasai Opolot, met at a joint ministerial meeting for the Northern Corridor Integration Projects.

“The continued collaboration among Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan illustrates the collective commitment to advancing NCIP initiatives and unlocking the region's economic potential,” said Principal Secretary for Petroleum Mohamed Liban.

Currently, petroleum products bound for the regional market are imported and offloaded at the Port of Mombasa, then transported via pipeline to Eldoret.

The products are then loaded onto trucks for distribution to regional destinations, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by Oil Marketing Companies.

However, reliance on trucks poses challenges including a negative environmental impact, a higher risk of accidents, and potential spillages.

The committee has been tasked with a wide mandate that includes reviewing land allocations, updating project timelines, and establishing mechanisms to increase the use of the Kisumu Oil Jetty for fuel transport to Uganda and beyond. It has also been tasked with preparing a detailed report on the project's status and the steps to follow.

The extension of the pipeline from Eldoret is crucial in providing a safer and eco-conscious mode of oil transportation into the region, while also cutting transport costs associated with the use of trucks.