TotalEnergies unveil Industry Enhancement Centre to boost SMEs participation in oil and gas

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Top executives from TotalEnergies EP Uganda, along with government officials and private sector stakeholders, have inaugurated the Industry Enhancement Center (IEC) in Kololo, Kampala, aimed at bolstering the capacity of Ugandan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

TotalEnergies awarded a 3-year contract worth $2.3 million to a Joint Venture comprising Zoramu Consulting Group, a Ugandan company, and Invest in Africa to establish the IEC, executives said on Feb.27 at the unveiling ceremony.

Philippe Groueix, the General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, emphasized that the IEC will offer sector-specific information, tailored business advisory services, training, and capacity-building programs for Ugandan SMEs, enhancing their knowledge and skills within the sector. The primary goal is to empower them to effectively engage in opportunities within the Oil and Gas supply chain and other sectors.

He said, “Contractor development initiatives are crucial to addressing challenges hindering maximum participation of Ugandan suppliers in the Oil and Gas industry supply chain. These challenges include sector knowledge, HSE practices, certification requirements, technical competencies, and financial modeling. We believe that support for contractor development through the IEC is essential in overcoming these challenges, thus enabling local businesses to thrive in the sector.”

The launch of the IEC follows an Industrial Baseline Survey conducted by TEPU and its Joint Venture partners in 2013, which identified the need to promote national content and capacity building for Ugandan SMEs to enable their meaningful participation in the sector.

Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, highlighted, “This initiative will equip Ugandan SMEs with the skills and resources necessary to excel within the oil and gas sector and beyond.”

Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, affirmed that the project aligns with the needs of National Content, an area they regulate.

TotalEnergies E&P Uganda and its joint venture partners established this center based on recommendations from the 2013 Industrial Baseline Survey.

While Uganda anticipates its first oil next year, industry experts suggest that key projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Refinery, may be behind schedule.