South Sudan has moved closer to its target of gaining access to a pipeline to export its oil to the south.
The presidents of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda have agreed to build two pipelines across East Africa.
One would run from South Sudan to the Kenyan port city of Lamu and the other would stretch from Rwanda to Mombasa.
Currently, South Sudan exports its oil through Sudan and supplies are often disrupted as the two countries disagree over pricing and security issues.
The three-way agreement between the presidents was confirmed by Uganda's foreign minister, Sam Kutesa.
Last week, Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir threatened again to stop oil flows across its border with South Sudan, unless South Sudan stops supporting rebels operating across the shared frontier.
South Sudan denies supporting rebels and, in turn, accuses Khartoum of backing insurgents on its soil.
When South Sudan became independent nearly two years ago, it took 75% of the oil reserves of Sudan.
However, Sudan retained the pipeline infrastructure, as well as the refineries and export terminal at Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
East Africa is experiencing an energy boom at the moment, after oil and gas discoveries in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
New railway
Mr Kutesa said the three countries had also agreed to build a railway line from Kenya through Uganda to Rwanda.
"It was agreed to revamp the existing railway network and also construct a standard gauge railway line in Kenya and Uganda and also extend it to Rwanda," he said.
The Kenya-Rwanda-Uganda-Tanzania-South Sudan axis is very interesting, always working together for their mutual benefit.
These 2 major oil pipelines and the dams on the White and Blue Nile rivers are going to change the east African scene; there is a lot of potential for all parties for trade.
Kenya and Uganda already have a lot of troops and advisors on the ground as part of AMISOM, Rwanda has already pledged that they might join as well. South Sudan was divided on sending AMISOM troops in 2011 and hasn't made any moves.
