ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has urged East African countries to adopt a common strategic approach to the development of regional petroleum resources, emphasizing the importance of innovation, regional cooperation and sustainable energy transitions.

Closing the 11th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE’25) in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Zanzibar leader reiterated the importance of accelerating the establishment of a petroleum fund.

He said it will be vital in financing vital projects, fostering innovation and building the necessary infrastructure for a sustainable energy future in the region, as the oil and gas sector holds immense potential for economic growth.

“But we must be forward-thinking in ensuring the development of this resource contributes to long-term prosperity for all East Africans,” he said, underlining the need to ensure that state investments in oil and gas contribute to economic growth and the global energy transition.

He praised government efforts in the past four years for enabling significant advancements in the oil and gas sector, underlining that the region cannot afford to be left behind in the fast-evolving global energy landscape.

He advised that East African countries leverage cutting-edge technologies to decarbonize industries and accelerate exploration and production of petroleum resources, citing the growing challenge of securing financing for fossil fuel projects.

He cited increasing global opposition to funding such initiatives due to climate change concerns, affirming that the Article 114 of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty would be instrumental in shaping up a common vision for effective and efficient management of the region’s natural resources.

Instituting a sovereign fund would support crucial needs such as training research, and innovation within the petroleum industry, making East Africa a key player in the global energy market, he said, citing the importance of cross-border oil and gas infrastructure projects, such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

Such outlays are vital for efficient resource distribution and regional economic integration, he said, pointing at other pipeline initiatives involving the transportation of natural gas between Tanzania and Kenya as well as Tanzania and Uganda.

The pipelines would complement the collaboration initiated with EACOP and further contribute to the region’s collective energy security and prosperity, he said, acknowledging the critical role of local content in the oil and gas sector.

The various countries need to ensure that their local workforce is adequately trained and that national companies are prioritized in oil and gas projects as East Africa can generate significant employment opportunities in the sector, ensuring that the benefits of the petroleum industry are felt throughout the region.

The closing ceremony also saw discussions on the importance of embracing energy diversification in balancing fossil fuel development with the urgent need for cleaner energy sources.

President Mwinyi pointed at Tanzania’s successful model of rural electrification financing from petroleum sector levies, with this initiative providing access to electricity for thousands of villages.

Ongoing commitment to the energy transition while advancing the oil and gas sector enable East Africans to face the future of energy as one that is economically viable, environmentally sustainable and inclusive of all our people, he declared.

Dr Doto Biteko, the deputy premier and Energy minister said at the ceremony that discussions and collaborations formed at the event will help in the realization of the East African Community (EAC) Vision 2050, seeking economic, social and political integration to create wealth and enhance regional competitiveness.

EAPCE 25 illustrates that the future of energy in East Africa lies in a balanced approach—leveraging petroleum resources while accelerating the adoption of renewable energy sources.

The conference, which attracted over 1400 stakeholders from across East Africa, ended on a note of optimism, with leaders from the energy sector vowing to deepen their collaboration in transforming the region’s energy landscape, officials affirmed.