Tanzania has announced plans to overhaul its mining sector, shifting from mineral extraction and export of raw materials to a competitive value chain covering processing, refining, manufacturing, and export of higher-value mineral products. Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Msafiri Mbibo, made the remarks on September 28, 2026, in Helsinki, Finland, during the Tanzania–European Union Investment and Business Forum. Mbibo highlighted Tanzania's significant potential to become a major player in global mineral value chains.
The country's rich deposits of gold, diamonds, tanzanite, ruby, sapphire, tsavorite, and zircon, as well as critical and strategic minerals like graphite, nickel, rare earth elements, uranium, copper, and lithium, provide a strong foundation for this transformation. Mbibo emphasized that the government is seeking investors who can bring capital, technology, technical expertise, and access to international markets to support processing, refining, manufacturing, infrastructure development, and specialized services.
Several investment opportunities were highlighted, including the Kabanga Nickel and Ngualla Rare Earth projects, graphite projects in Mahenge and Lindi, and the Sotta Uranium project, as well as opportunities in gold, copper, lithium, and gemstones. The government is creating a more conducive investment environment through predictable policies and legislation, formal investment agreements, improving infrastructure, and a tax regime that provides incentives to investors.
The mining sector currently contributes 10.3% of Tanzania's GDP and accounts for over 50% of the country's export earnings. Mbibo stressed that the mineral wealth provides an opportunity for Tanzania to increase revenue, create jobs, attract foreign investment, and stimulate industrialization. He emphasized the importance of increasing mineral beneficiation, processing, and refining to derive greater economic value from Tanzania's mineral resources.
The government is strengthening energy, railway, road, airport, and port infrastructure to support mineral production, processing, and trade. Executive Director of the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), Engineer Ally Samaje, noted that various parts of the country have significant investment potential in strategic minerals, including nickel, copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and gold.
The government plans to expand geological exploration using High-Resolution Airborne Geophysical Surveys, increasing coverage from 16% to 50% of the country by 2030. Geochemical exploration coverage is also targeted to increase from 24% to 50% over the same period. This expansion aims to identify new investment opportunities while supporting greater local processing, industrialization, and value addition in Tanzania's mining sector.
The transformation of Tanzania's mining sector is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and industrial development. With the right investments and infrastructure in place, Tanzania can unlock the full potential of its mineral resources and become a significant player in the global mining industry. The government's efforts to create a more conducive investment environment and develop mineral value chains will be crucial in achieving this goal.
Key points
- Tanzania aims to increase mineral beneficiation, processing, and refining to derive greater economic value from its mineral resources.
- The government is seeking investors to support processing, refining, manufacturing, and infrastructure development in the mining sector.
- Tanzania plans to expand geological exploration to identify new investment opportunities and support local processing and industrialization.
