The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) hosted its first Supplier Development Forum of 2026 on Friday, 30th January, at the Sheraton Hotel, Kampala. The forum focused on upcoming opportunities for Ugandan companies during the Commissioning and Operations phases of the EACOP project.
The event attracted over 200 attendees in person and more than 800 participants online, reflecting the strong interest of local businesses in contributing to one of Africa’s largest infrastructure projects.
The forum featured presentations from EACOP leadership and industry partners. EACOP Deputy Managing Director, John Bosco Habumugisha, welcomed participants and emphasized that local content is central to EACOP’s vision, highlighting the importance of empowering Ugandan companies to actively contribute to the project.
Kamal Bouzalmata, EACOP’s Commissioning Manager, provided an overview of the Commissioning Phase and encouraged local suppliers to engage early, noting that there are opportunities ranging from specialized equipment support to technical services.
Kent from Inspect Africa explained that collaboration with Tier One contractors is key for local companies and stressed the need to understand the standards and expectations for participation.
Christophe Carmon, Deputy EACOP’s Field Operations Director, outlined the opportunities in the Operations Phase, indicating that it will require a reliable network of local suppliers and that there are multiple avenues for sustainable engagement.
The EACOP C&P Team provided guidance on the procurement process, stressing the importance of transparency and accessibility for qualified local suppliers.
Jimmy Mugerwa from the Industry Enhancement Centre highlighted that supplier development ensures the benefits of EACOP extend to local communities through capacity building and job creation.
Through such forums, EACOP continues to strengthen local content development and empower Ugandan companies to participate fully in the pipeline’s operational and commissioning activities, fostering economic growth and sustainable development in the region.
Link to the forum Video: https://youtu.be/cMF-LXrbayk
