East African Infrastructure Development, Part 4: Pipelines

Editor's Note: This is a four-part series on the development of transport infrastructure in East Africa as the region looks to expand its economy and increase international trade as it becomes a seemingly attractive destination for low-end manufacturing. Part 4 examines Ethiopia's plans to update and expand its rail and road networks to provide better access to ports and to other countries. Read more in Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

East Africa's needs for oil and natural gas pipelines have changed. New oil and gas exploration projects, along with the potential establishment of a manufacturing base in the region, have created an interest in pipeline projects to carry natural gas and crude oil to export markets or refineries and to guarantee the supply of fuel to internal markets. However, without the involvement of foreign investors, some of the needed pipeline infrastructure that local governments are interested in may never be built.