EACOP Academy

Empowering Youth. Building Skills. Supporting Operations

The EACOP Academy is a flagship vocational training initiative developed by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to support local content development and empower young people across the pipeline route. What began as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Tanzania has evolved into a structured, multi-phase training programme equipping youth with the skills required for midstream oil and gas operations.

Our Journey

Launched as a digital learning platform in Tanzania, the EACOP MOOC aimed to build awareness of the oil & gas sector among youth aged 18–28. With over 23,000 registrations and 12,000 learners, the initiative laid the foundation for what is now the EACOP Academy—a pan-regional training programme aligned with national development goals and EACOP’s operational needs. The Academy now includes 141 selected trainees: 110 from Tanzania (through the EACOP MOOC) and 31 from Uganda, recruited through the Tilenga MOOC. This marks a milestone in cross-border collaboration, as the Academy expands its footprint into Uganda.

EACOP Senior Leadership Team, Ministry of Energy, PAU, and Tanzanian Ambassador to Uganda Visit UPIK to Review Academy Progress and Engage with Trainee

EACOPs Senior Leadership Team visited the Uganda Petroleum Institute, Kigumba to review EACOP Academy’s progress and engage with trainees currently enrolled in the Academy. The visit brought together high-level representatives from government, regulatory bodies, academia, and the private sector.

Among the key guests were H.E. Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Uganda; Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda; senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development; UPIK’s leadership and trainers; members of the EACOP SLT; and all 141 EACOP Academy students.

Training Programme Overview

The EACOP Academy offers a phased vocational training model across four key disciplines: Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation.

Phase 1:

Academic Foundation

Core subjects include:
Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Oil & Gas Fundamentals, HSE, and communication skills.

Timeline: Sep – Nov 2024

Location: Arusha Technical College

Phase 2:

Technical Fundamentals

Focus on practical workshop training and core technical modules.

Timeline: Nov 2024 – Mar 2025

Location: VETA Moshi Kilimanjaro

Phase 3:

Specialization

Specialized training in chosen disciplines, delivered in partnership with Petrotekno (Indonesia) and aligned with OPITO International Training Standards. Graduates will earn OPITO Level 1 certification.

Timeline: Apr – Sep 2025

Location: Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK)

Phase 4:

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

Trainees will take part in On-the-Job Observation and Training in both Tanzania and overseas, gaining experience in live operational environments, vendor specific systems, and real-time commissioning activities.

Timeline: Nov 2025 onward

Key Achievements

Over 23,000 registrations and 12,000 active learners in Tanzania
3,700 program graduates and a final cohort of 141 trainees (110 Tanzanian, 31 Ugandan)
Recruitment in Uganda conducted through the Tilenga MOOC initiative
Institutional partnerships with Arusha Technical College, VETA Moshi, and UPIK Uganda
Endorsed by TPDC and aligned with Tanzania’s National Skills Development goals
OPITO-certified training preparing youth for EACOP operational roles

Looking Ahead

The EACOP Academy is more than a training programme, it is a long-term investment in people. As EACOP prepares for commissioning in 2025/26, the Academy is building a skilled workforce ready to contribute to Africa’s largest transnational oil infrastructure project.