Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to complete its domestic refinery by 2030, noting that commercial oil production will precede it and begin by June 2027 to cement its status as an oil-producing nation.

Kristina Kasebayo, head of compliance at the Uganda National Oil Company said the nation was readying to export its first batch of crude through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, according to a statement on Thursday.

“First oil will start before the end of our financial year—June 2027—which will position us as an oil-producing country,” Mr Kasebayo said at the African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town.

Uganda discovered oil in 2006 but its government said developing infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to export it had been a major challenge.

“The challenge was never getting the oil out of the ground, but having the infrastructure and regulation in place,” Mr Kasebayo said, affirming frameworks have been set up for operations.

Uganda said it is investing to refine crude to boost local fuel supply and energy security while still profiting from export to other nations.

“We intend to take FID (final investment decision) for the domestic refinery in February 2027 and expect the refinery to be complete by 2030,” Mr Kasebayo said, outlining the timeline.

Uganda intends to adopt Pearl Sweet as the brand name to market its crude, drawing inspiration from the country’s reputation as the Pearl of Africa.