Uganda officials unveil the name “Pearl Sweet” for the country's crude oil during a ceremony in Uganda on 2 September 2026. Credit: Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC)

NNA News - Uganda has appointed global energy and commodities trader Vitol to market the country's crude oil allocation as the East African nation prepares to begin exports in early 2027.

The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) said on Monday that Vitol will market the crude allocation belonging to the Government of Uganda and UNOC, connecting the country's oil with international buyers as the petroleum industry moves into its commercial phase. The appointment marks a shift from Uganda's long-running development of its oil resources towards commercialisation, with Vitol expected to use its international trading, marketing and logistics network to identify buyers for the crude.

Uganda's crude, named Pearl Sweet by President Yoweri Museveni on 2 September, will be produced from the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil developments in western Uganda. The two projects are expected to reach combined peak production of about 230,000 barrels per day.

Energy Minister Monica Musenero said the appointment showed that Uganda was moving closer to bringing its petroleum resources to market. “Vitol’s appointment is another sign that Uganda is moving from development to delivery. As we complete the production and export infrastructure, we are now putting in place the commercial capability to take Pearl Sweet to the world,” she explained. 

Musenero said Vitol's international network would also help Uganda secure suitable refining markets.“Vitol’s global reach, trading expertise and logistics strength will help us place this crude with the right refiners and maximise value for Uganda when exports begin in early 2027,” she added.

A container displaying the “Pearl Sweet” branding during the unveiling of Uganda's crude oil name. Credit: Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC)

Pearl Sweet is a medium-to-heavy sweet crude that will be transported through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to the Port of Tanga in Tanzania. The pipeline, which stretches about 1,443 kilometres, is being developed to provide Uganda with an export route to the Indian Ocean.

Vitol said the crude could attract interest from Asian refiners. Kieran Gallagher, Head of Vitol Asia, said: “It is an honour to partner with Uganda to bring its new crude oil, Pearl Sweet, to market.” “Pearl Sweet is well suited to many Asian refineries, and we anticipate a great deal of interest,” he added:

The appointment comes as Uganda and its partners work towards completing infrastructure required for first oil exports. In August, UNOC, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and Vitol also agreed to explore the development of a regional energy hub at the Port of Tanga, which could strengthen the port's role in serving regional and international energy markets.

Uganda discovered commercially viable oil deposits in the Albertine region in 2006. The country has since invested in production, transportation and export infrastructure as it prepares to turn its petroleum resources into a source of government revenue and wider economic activity.