DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania and Uganda on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the northeastern Tanzanian port city of Tanga into a regional energy hub, according to a statement issued by Tanzania's Directorate of Presidential Communications.
The signing was witnessed by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni at the State House in Dar es Salaam during Museveni's working visit to Tanzania, said the statement.
Deogratius Ndejembi, Tanzania's minister of energy, said the agreement aims to leverage Tanga's strategic geographic position and existing energy transport infrastructure to transform it into a key regional energy hub.
The initiative is expected to strengthen regional and economic cooperation, unlock investment opportunities in the energy sector, and enhance East Africa's role in global energy trade, Ndejembi said.
Tanga is also the terminus of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, which is under construction from Hoima in western Uganda to Chongoleani in Tanga.
Monica Masanza, Uganda's minister of energy and mineral development, described the agreement as a significant milestone in advancing long-term energy cooperation between the two countries.
She noted that the energy, oil, and mining sectors are central to Africa's development, adding that the project will create jobs for the youth, boost trade, and deepen economic ties between Tanzania and Uganda. ■