EACOP FACILITATES CERTIFICATE OF CUSTOMARY RIGHTS OF OCCUPANCY FOR AKIE SACRED FOREST

Kiteto, Tanzania – April 8, 2025 – In a significant step towards recognizing and safeguarding the land rights of Vulnerable Ethnic Groups Self-Identifying as Indigenous Peoples, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project, in collaboration with the Akie community and Kiteto District authorities, officially handed over a Certificate of Customary Rights of Occupancy (CCRO) for the Akie Sacred Forest in Napilikunya Hamlet. This milestone reflects EACOP’s ongoing commitment to respecting cultural heritage and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples in accordance with international standards.

The EACOP pipeline traverses areas inhabited by Indigenous communities, including the Maasai, Akie, Taturu, and Barbaig. In line with international human rights frameworks, including the IFC Performance Standard 7 (PS7) on Indigenous Peoples, EACOP recognizes the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) when impacting the natural resources and particularly culturally significant sites of these communities.

During the land acquisition process, assessments identified that the pipeline route passes through a sacred site in Napilikunya Hamlet, Kimana Village, Kiteto District, where a baobab tree had long served as a focal point for the Akie community’s spiritual and ritual practices. Acknowledging the importance of this site, EACOP undertook an FPIC process, ensuring meaningful engagement with the Akie community to determine a culturally appropriate way forward.

Following consultations, on July 6, 2022, the Akie community of Napilikunya granted their consent for EACOP activities, subject to the relocation of their sacred site to a new designated forest area in Oring’idi. As part of its commitment to respecting and protecting indigenous cultural heritage, EACOP further supported the community’s request to obtain formal land tenure for the new sacred site which also has a baobab tree.

This commitment was fulfilled today, on April 8, 2025, this commitment is realized with the official handover of a Customary Rights of Occupancy Certificate for the 46-acre Akie Sacred Forest. This certification, facilitated by EACOP and issued by the relevant authorities, provides legal recognition and protection, ensuring the long-term preservation of the Akie’s spiritual and cultural practices.

The event also featured the handover of CCROs for replacement land, distribution of birth certificates, and the inauguration of a community dispensary, constructed with compensation money. The community expressed heartfelt appreciation for the improved access road and the employment opportunities brought by the project.

Ms. Wendy Brown, General Manager of EACOP Tanzania, emphasized the importance of this initiative, “EACOP is committed to working collaboratively with indigenous communities to ensure their rights, traditions, and cultural heritage are respected. The formalization of the Akie Sacred Forest’s land tenure underscores our dedication to responsible development that prioritizes community engagement, cultural preservation, and sustainable land management.”

The issuance of this certificate represents a landmark achievement in securing Indigenous Peoples’ land rights, preventing encroachment, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of sacred spaces. This initiative aligns with EACOP’s broader social performance commitments, reinforcing its adherence to international standards in engagement with Indigenous Peoples.