Uganda is moving toward becoming the world’s newest oil exporting country as it prepares to launch its first commercial crude shipments under the newly named Pearl Sweet blend. President Yoweri Museveni unveiled the crude grade on September 2, marking a major milestone nearly two decades after commercially viable oil was discovered in the Albertine Graben, Bloomberg reported. Commercial production is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with exports now targeted for early 2027.
Pearl Sweet will combine crude from the TotalEnergies operated Tilenga project and CNOOC’s Kingfisher development before being transported through the 1,443 kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline to the export terminal at Tanga in Tanzania. The two fields are expected to reach combined peak production of about 230,000 barrels per day. Uganda’s recoverable oil resources are estimated at 1.65 billion barrels, positioning the country to become East Africa’s largest crude producer once production reaches full capacity.
The creation of Pearl Sweet also gives Uganda its first distinct commercial identity in the international crude market. The blend is a medium light crude with relatively low sulphur content, while its name references Uganda’s identity as the Pearl of Africa. Uganda National Oil Company, TotalEnergies and CNOOC will participate in marketing the crude, with Vitol appointed to help take Uganda’s barrels into international markets and connect the country with refiners and traders, particularly in Asia.
For Uganda, the significance extends beyond becoming an oil exporter. The long awaited production phase could generate new government revenues, strengthen foreign exchange earnings and create opportunities across infrastructure, energy services and local manufacturing. The project, however, remains closely watched because of environmental concerns surrounding the development and the heated export pipeline. If Uganda successfully moves from development to sustained production and international sales, Pearl Sweet could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s economic and energy ambitions.
