African Energy Chamber (AEC) Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk, at a past event. PHOTO/AEC.
By ENERGY CORRESPONDENT
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has welcomed the decision by the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) to dismiss a long-standing lawsuit aimed at halting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a key infrastructure project set to play a transformative role in the region’s energy future.
In a ruling that has been described as a significant victory for East Africa’s industrialisation, the EACJ upheld its earlier judgement that the legal challenge, brought by a group of civil society organisations, was filed outside the treaty’s 60-day limitation period.
The dismissal of the lawsuit is seen as a reaffirmation of the region’s commitment to advancing critical energy projects that promise long-term benefits for Uganda, Tanzania, and the broader East African economy.
AEC Executive Chairman NJ Ayuk applauded the decision, highlighting that it sends a clear message: Africa must be allowed to control its energy future without external interference or the use of litigation to obstruct progress.
“This ruling reinforces our position that development cannot be delayed or derailed by external groups using African courts for ideological purposes,” Ayuk stated.
EACOP, a joint project involving TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is set to transport 210,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Uganda’s oil fields to the Tanzanian port of Tanga.
The pipeline is expected to generate thousands of jobs, boost local economies, and create value chains that will contribute to the long-term energy security of both Uganda and Tanzania.
The Chamber strongly supports the project, asserting that it aligns with the aspirations of local communities, who, according to Ayuk, are not opposed to development but are instead calling for “progress, opportunity, and the chance to benefit from their own natural resources.”
The AEC’s findings on the ground in Uganda, where it visited areas frequently referenced in anti-EACOP campaigns, contradict many of the narratives propagated by Western activists. “Ugandans want jobs and investment. They want to be part of an industrial future,” Ayuk added.
The ruling also arrives at a time when similar legal challenges against energy projects in Africa, often funded by foreign NGOs, are on the rise. The AEC has highlighted how lawsuits filed in South Africa and Mozambique, backed by Western foundations, have led to significant delays in key energy developments, including offshore projects by TotalEnergies and Shell, as well as the Mozambique LNG project.
The Chamber warns that these repeated legal challenges are not about ensuring compliance with environmental standards, but about obstructing Africa’s energy development, while Western nations continue to expand their own fossil fuel infrastructure.
“The legal stalling of African projects is no longer just an inconvenience; it’s a strategy that risks locking the continent into perpetual energy poverty,” said Ayuk. “Africa cannot afford to let its energy future be determined by foreign interests who have no viable alternatives for the region’s industrialisation or economic upliftment.”
With the EACJ’s decision, the African Energy Chamber has reiterated its strong support for EACOP as a vital infrastructure project that will enable export growth, create revenue streams, and provide much-needed energy access for decades to come.
The Chamber also commended the leadership of Uganda and Tanzania, as well as the resilience of TotalEnergies and CNOOC in navigating immense pressure from activist networks.
“This ruling is a statement of confidence in Africa’s sovereignty,” Ayuk concluded. “It rejects foreign interference and upholds Africa’s right to shape its own energy future. As the continent continues to tackle energy poverty, projects like EACOP are essential for ensuring long-term prosperity.”
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline remains one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Africa, with the potential to reshape the region’s energy landscape and contribute to a more sustainable, self-sufficient future for East Africa.
