Uganda-Tanzanian pipe dream

The Uganda-Tanzania oil pipeline route is close to becoming a reality. Kenya will have to go it alone

Anyone in the Kenyan oil sector still hoping that the Ugandan government would change its mind and route its oil to the coast for export via Kenya have been disappointed. The announcement in late May that Kampala and Dodoma have signed a framework agreement to build a $3.5bn, 1,440km pipeline through Tanzania instead was a test of faith. Uganda surprised many in the industry last year, when it ditched plans to build a pipeline to be shared with Kenya running to Lamu in favour of a Total-supported project for a 200,000-barrels-a-day-capacity pipeline through Tanzania. The new agreement adds flesh to that plan, firming it up into what looks like a done deal. Implementation timelines, elements