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China Extends Invitation to Uganda for Discussions on Pipeline Funding
Louis Buyisiwe
Friday, April 5, 2024
Uganda’s energy minister, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, has received an invitation from China to discuss the $5 billion crude oil pipeline. This move represents a potential breakthrough in Uganda’s quest to secure Chinese financing for the pipeline project, which is essential for tapping into oilfields discovered back in 2006.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), spanning 1,445 kilometers (898 miles), will connect Uganda’s oilfields in the west to Tanzania’s Tanga port on the Indian Ocean coast.
While Western banks hesitated due to environmental concerns, China’s special envoy, Xue Bing, conveyed President Xi Jinping’s support for the project.
During this meeting Museveni's office said
Chinese financial institutions are open to discussions on the project and extended an invitation to Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, to visit China for further discussions.
This invitation marks progress in securing funding for the EACOP, promising socio-economic development for the region.