EACOP and IEC sign strategic pact to enhance local industry competitiveness
The agreement includes timely sharing of procurement opportunities from EACOP and its contractors with IEC-registered companies, delivery of IEC-led trainings and capacity-building programmes across Kampala and various districts, and coordinated stakeholder engagements.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Industry Enhancement Centre (IEC), marking a major milestone in strengthening national content development and enhancing the participation of Ugandan Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the oil and gas sector.
The IEC was established in 2024 by TotalEnergies EP Uganda (TEPU), in partnership with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation Uganda Limited (CNOOC Uganda) and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).
Its creation followed recommendations from the 2013 Industrial Baseline Survey (IBS), which pointed to the need for deliberate efforts to improve local industry readiness and participation in the petroleum sector.
The centre now offers training, advisory services, operational support, and financing guidance to help local enterprises effectively position themselves for opportunities in the industry.
Under the newly signed MoU, EACOP Ltd. and IEC will collaborate to widen access to business opportunities for Ugandan firms. The agreement includes timely sharing of procurement opportunities from EACOP and its contractors with IEC-registered companies, delivery of IEC-led trainings and capacity-building programmes across Kampala and various districts, and coordinated stakeholder engagements. EACOP will also work to expand its network of contractors to support IEC initiatives and strengthen industry-wide cooperation.
The partnership builds on EACOP’s broader national content agenda. The company has previously signed similar MoUs with institutions such as the Institute of Surveyors of Uganda and the Uganda Industrial Research Institute. It has also engaged key tertiary institutions—including the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK), Makerere University, and Kyambogo University—in efforts aimed at developing skills and increasing value retention within the country.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, EACOP Deputy Managing Director Mr. JB Habumugisha reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering Ugandan enterprises.
“This partnership with the Industry Enhancement Centre underscores our unwavering commitment to maximizing local content,” he said. “By working together, we aim to create opportunities for SMEs to grow, compete, and sustainably contribute to the oil and gas sector and the broader economy.”
Jimmy Mugerwa, Managing Director of Zoramu Consulting Group, welcomed the collaboration, noting that it would significantly boost Uganda’s industrial capacity.
“We are excited to collaborate with EACOP Ltd. to provide Ugandan enterprises with the training, guidance, and networks they need to thrive,” he said. “This MoU represents a significant step forward in building local capacity and ensuring that Ugandan companies are key players in the development of our country’s oil and gas industry.”
The strategic partnership underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing sustainable development, strengthening national content, and building long-term capacity for Ugandan SMEs as the country positions itself for greater participation in the evolving petroleum sector.
