DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (March 6, 2025) — East African Community (EAC) Partner States were urged to prioritize using revenues from the region’s burgeoning petroleum sector for sustainable development and job creation during the 11th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE’25) in Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania’s Vice President, Philip Mpango, emphasized that petroleum resources should not only fuel current economic growth but also contribute to future sustainability. He called for the establishment of a savings fund that would allocate a percentage of petroleum revenues for long-term development, including environmental restoration and job creation.
“Petroleum continues to be crucial in today’s energy mix. If we use it responsibly, we can drive development while setting the foundation for a greener future,” Mpango stated. He also highlighted the importance of balancing growth with sustainability, particularly in the context of climate change.
The Vice President underscored the role of technological innovation in cleaner oil extraction methods and carbon capture, which offer developing countries like those in East Africa the chance to maximize resource extraction while minimizing environmental harm.
In line with Tanzania’s focus on clean energy, Mpango called for a transition to renewable sources and highlighted the country’s efforts to encourage renewable energy investment. “Africa needs between $1 trillion and $2 trillion to meet clean energy targets by 2030. Tanzania has adopted policies that prioritize renewable energy as the main source in the national energy mix,” he said.
EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva echoed these sentiments, pointing out that the region’s petroleum reserves have elevated East Africa as a prime investment destination. She noted the significant oil discoveries in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as the increasing exploration in Burundi and Rwanda.
Nduva also emphasized the importance of integrating artificial intelligence in the oil and gas sector, suggesting that investments in digital infrastructure could drive efficiency and improve sustainability. “The nexus between AI and petroleum resources can transform exploration and extraction practices,” she said.
Uganda’s Minister of Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, spoke about the establishment of a petroleum fund, inspired by Norway’s model, to channel revenues into infrastructure development such as electricity, roads, and railways. She also stressed that petroleum could help alleviate deforestation and health issues caused by the use of biomass.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, announced the country’s plans to open 10 highly productive petroleum exploration blocks for licensing by September 2025. These blocks, located in the Lamu and Anza basins, are part of Kenya’s broader efforts to boost infrastructure and support regional energy development.
Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum, Dahir Shire Mohamed, highlighted the country’s investment opportunities in petroleum despite past instability, stating that Somalia’s newly established Petroleum Authority is ready to regulate the sector.
The biennial EAPCE provides a platform for industry dialogue and is aimed at unlocking investment in future energy, with a focus on sustainable development in East Africa. The conference is aligned with the EAC’s Vision 2050, which aims for a sustainable, competitive, and secure regional energy supply.
