East African petroleum regulators unite to fuel regional energy cooperation
As part of the ongoing exchange, the visiting delegation will also embark on a tour of Uganda’s oil and gas operational areas in the Albertine Graben, gaining valuable insight into the country's progress as it prepares for First Oil.
In a landmark move aimed at bolstering the East African oil and gas sector, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) formalized a strategic partnership with the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA) and the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) of Tanzania.
The three regulatory bodies signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Entebbe, Uganda, solidifying their commitment to enhanced collaboration and knowledge exchange across the region.
The agreement, which was lauded by officials as a vital step towards leveraging regional expertise and resources, outlines key areas of cooperation including petroleum resource management, cost monitoring and management, health, safety, and environment, national content development, and capacity building and knowledge exchange.
“The East African region is one of the most prolific frontier areas for Oil and Gas exploration and development,” stated Lynda Biribonwa, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at PAU.
Emphasizing the specialized, technologically driven, and capital-intensive nature of the sector, she highlighted the paramount importance of collaboration among regulators to leverage existing expertise and resources.
“I am happy that we can sign this MOU and take forward these areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and sister institutions,” Biribonwa added.
The MOU formalizes an already existing informal relationship between Uganda and Tanzania in the oil and gas sector, according to Halfani R. Halfani, Board Chair for Tanzania’s PURA.
“This MoU will facilitate sharing best practices, so that the region can maintain the capability to bring in investment in the region,” he stated after signing the agreement.
Muhammed S. Said, the Managing Director of ZPRA, further underscored the collective benefit of the partnership. By “putting all of our resources together, we can all learn from each other and see how we take the industry forward for the benefit of all,” he explained.
The seeds for this tripartite MOU were planted about a year ago, according to Charles J. Sangweni, Director General of PURA.
He anticipates that the agreement “will strengthen our bonds” and highlight “pertinent issues regarding exchanging of data and exchanging experience through capacity building of our technical team.”
Sangweni also expressed optimism for broader regional cooperation, hinting at potential future agreements with other East African nations, with Kenya as a potential starting point.
This collaboration is expected to foster shared growth and expertise, echoing the sentiment of the regional proverb, “Umoja ninguvu” – unity is strength.
The unified approach promises to provide a stronger foundation for navigating the complexities of the petroleum industry and attracting investment to the region.
As part of the ongoing exchange, the visiting delegation will also embark on a tour of Uganda’s oil and gas operational areas in the Albertine Graben, gaining valuable insight into the country’s progress as it prepares for First Oil.
“Together, let us chart a transformative path forward for the petroleum industry in East Africa,” Biribonwa concluded, encapsulating the ambition and collaborative spirit driving this historic partnership. The MOU signifies a significant step towards a more integrated, efficient, and prosperous East African energy sector.
