Industrial progress is often measured by the numbers: tonnes of steel installed,
kilometers of pipeline built, or megawatts of energy delivered. But there’s another
measure that’s just as important, even if it doesn’t always make the headlines: who
gets the opportunity to build that progress.
In Uganda and Tanzania, that story is beginning to change.
For a long time, skilled trades such as welding, rigging, and heavy equipment
operation have been seen as men’s jobs. It wasn’t always written down, but it was
deeply ingrained in the way the industry worked. Today, that perception is gradually
shifting.
Through its technical training programmes, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline
(EACOP) is creating opportunities for women to train alongside men, complete the
same rigorous certifications, pass the same welding assessments, and meet the same
industry standards. The focus isn’t on lowering the bar. It’s on ensuring that everyone
with the talent and determination has an equal chance to succeed.
Across the 1,443-kilometre corridor, that shift is becoming increasingly visible. More
women are stepping into roles that were once considered out of reach, proving
through their skill and performance that competence, not gender, is what defines
excellence in the industry.
At the core of this project is a commitment to National Content; a strategy designed
to ensure that the economic benefits of oil and gas infrastructure remain within host
nations.
While supporting local suppliers remains an important part of the project, EACOP’s
long-term impact is also being shaped through investment in people.
Working with institutions such as the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK) and
vocational training colleges across Tanzania, the EACOP Academy and its tier-one
contractors have developed specialized training programmes to equip local talent
with practical, industry-ready skills.
Participants earn internationally recognized certifications, including those from the
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and OPITO, in high-demand
technical fields such as 3G and 6G coded welding, mechanical maintenance, non-
destructive testing (NDT), and heavy equipment operation. These qualifications not
only prepare trainees for work on the pipeline project but also give them skills that
are recognized and valued across the global energy and construction industries.
EACOP’s National Content team notes that, “Our objective is not simply to build a
pipeline, but to build local capacity that outlasts the construction phase.” To date,
hundreds of local youths have entered these specialized pathways, retaining vital
technical value within host communities.
Historically, heavy lifting operations and pipeline welding suffered from low female
representation due to physical stigmas and cultural barriers. EACOP’s Gender Equality
and Social Inclusion (GESI) framework was established to dismantle these hurdles
through targeted recruitment, gender-sensitive camp facilities, and workplace
mentorship.
The results are already visible in training yards across Buliisa, Hoima, Sembabule, and
Tanga:
Women now represent up to 25% of trainees in specialized midstream technical
cohorts, female operators are actively qualifying to maneuver heavy cranes, mobile
workshop vans, and rigging setups required for pipe yard logistics.
Trainees are mastering high-precision automatic and manual welding techniques
required for the world’s longest electrically heat-traced pipeline system.
For young women entering these programs, the training offers benefits beyond
employment, it represents financial independence and leadership. “When people first
saw me in a welding helmet, they thought it was too dangerous for a woman,” shares
one trainee at UPIK. “Today, when they see my welds pass inspection, they see a
qualified professional.”
The ripple effects of gender-inclusive skill development extend far beyond individual
career paths. Skilled technicians contribute directly to household income, local
business growth, and community development.
Furthermore, as Uganda and Tanzania expand their industrial and energy
infrastructure, these internationally certified female technicians will form a
permanent talent pool for future projects in civil construction, manufacturing, and
renewable energy.
As pipeline assembly and station construction progress toward operational readiness,
EACOP continues to roll out additional vocational intakes and supplier skilling
programs. By investing in local talent and championing equal opportunity, the project
is demonstrating that East Africa’s industrial future will be powered by a diverse,
highly skilled workforce.
For the team driving these initiatives, this cultural shift represents the project's true
legacy. As the EACOP Gender Equality and Social Inclusion team summarized: “When
you train a woman in technical engineering, you don't just fill a job role, you
transform entire community perceptions of what is possible.”
