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Pioneering
Africa's
Infrastructure

See how three decades of terminal experience can help build the fuel, road and connectivity backbone East Africa needs.

Contact us

Built on the experience of Pioneer Oil.

Proven terminals.
Local partners.
One accountable team.

30 yrs

Designing, building and operating bulk terminals

10

Sizable facilities developed in northern South America

5

Product families: asphalt, cement, fuel oil, diesel and polymers

3

Transport modes: rail, ocean-going vessels and barges

2+

Countries where Pioneer Oil has developed facilities

$100M

Upper range of the Uganda program in development, committed in phases

The infrastructure emerging markets build on.

Asphalt and petroleum terminals

Heated storage, blending and distribution for highway contractors, expanding to diesel, fuel oil, cement and polymers as a market grows.

See the Uganda project

Satellite connectivity

Reliable internet for terminals, project sites and businesses beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. Starlink is now licensed to operate in Uganda.

See the connectivity project

Featured projects

Now building in Uganda.

Proposal stage · Joint venture

Uganda Energy Terminal Hub

A phased asphalt and petroleum logistics hub, developed as a joint venture with the Government of Uganda or its designated state enterprise.

Program
Up to US$100 million, committed in phases
Structure
Joint venture, with Pioneer leading technical development and operations
Financing
Pioneer equity as the foundation, with institutional and development financing arranged for the balance
Status
Subject to feasibility, financing and government agreement
Discuss Uganda
  1. 1

    Heated asphalt storage and distribution

    Storage, blending and distribution to highway contractors, the model Pioneer has run for decades.

  2. 2

    Fuel storage

    Diesel and fuel oil added alongside the asphalt operation as customer demand supports it.

  3. 3

    Cement, polymers and logistics links

    Portland cement handling, polymer-modified asphalt, and marine or rail connections where the economics justify them.

In development · Uganda

Pioneer Connect Uganda

Starlink satellite internet received its operating licence in Uganda in May 2026 and service is now available in the country. We are building a connectivity offering for businesses, project sites and communities that terrestrial networks do not reach.

Market
Uganda
Built for
Remote project sites, industrial facilities and enterprises outside terrestrial coverage
Status
In development, subject to final commercial arrangements
Ask about connectivity

Starlink is a trademark of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Pioneer Energy International is not affiliated with or endorsed by SpaceX unless stated otherwise.

About us

Thirty years of getting terminals built and running.

Pioneer Energy International develops, finances and operates asphalt and petroleum logistics terminals and supporting infrastructure in emerging markets.

Our experience comes from Pioneer Oil, which designed, constructed and operated bulk asphalt storage and distribution terminals across North and South America. Those facilities began as liquid asphalt terminals and grew into multi-product sites handling Portland cement, fuel oil, diesel and polymers, served by rail, ocean-going vessels and barges.

Our mission is to apply that proven model with governments and partners who need the road and fuel supply chains their economies run on.

Operator mindset

We design every terminal to run for decades. That means practical layouts, safe operations and room to expand.

Local partnership

Each project is built with the host government and local partners, so the benefit stays in the country.

Clear terms

Transparent procurement and agreed dispute resolution give lenders and governments confidence from the first agreement.

Meet the founder

Tad Butt, founder of Pioneer Energy International
Founder

Tad Butt

Tad was CEO of Pioneer Oil for 30 years, leading the design, construction and operation of bulk asphalt storage and distribution terminals. He founded Pioneer Energy International to take that proven terminal development model into new markets.

Tad is from Billings, Montana, and loves to travel the world.

Pioneer Oil

Terminal design and operation

About thirty years developing and running bulk asphalt storage and distribution terminals, including rail, ocean-going vessel and barge handling.

Northern South America

Ten sizable facilities

Ten petroleum facilities that started as liquid asphalt terminals and expanded into Portland cement, fuel oil, diesel and polymers.

United States

Ogden, Utah and other U.S. projects

The Ogden terminal ranks among Pioneer's largest and most successful developments.

How we partner

One lead developer from first study to daily operation.

1

Feasibility and site

A joint study with the host government confirms the site, the demand and the right first phase for the market.

2

Financing

Long-term storage and throughput agreements support lender financing. Pioneer commits equity and arranges the balance with financial institutions and strategic partners.

3

Build and operate

Pioneer leads design, construction and long-term operation, and brings in the contractors and local partners each project needs.