[PRESSWIRE] Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania – 1 February 2026 — Tanzania is undertaking a fundamental restructuring of its mining sector, a move that could reshape its role in global mineral supply chains and create new opportunities for US investors seeking diversification, transparency and long-term industrial partnerships.

One of Africa—s most resource-rich countries, Tanzania holds substantial deposits of gold, diamonds, tanzanite, graphite, lithium and rare earth minerals. Yet for decades, the country exported much of this wealth in raw form, capturing only a fraction of its potential value while remaining exposed to volatile commodity markets.

That model is now being deliberately phased out.

Under its National Development Vision 2050, Tanzania is shifting towards domestic mineral processing and manufacturing as part of a broader industrialisation strategy.

The government says the reforms are designed to maximise national benefit, deepen industrial capacity and position the country as a regional hub for mineral value addition.

—The focus is no longer just extraction,— the Vision 2050 framework states. —It is about building industries around our minerals, creating skilled jobs and ensuring long-term economic transformation.—

Regulatory reforms reshape the sector

In recent years, Tanzania has introduced a series of policy and legal reforms aimed at reducing the export of unprocessed minerals and encouraging in-country beneficiation. The measures include restrictions on raw mineral exports, levies structured to incentivise domestic processing and strengthened regulatory oversight by institutions such as the Mining Commission.

For US investors accustomed to regulatory uncertainty in frontier markets, officials argue the reforms are intended to provide clearer rules, stronger supervision and greater predictability across the mining value chain.

To support enforcement and transparency, the government has invested directly in geoscientific infrastructure. A flagship project is the construction of a state-of-the-art mineral analysis laboratory in Dodoma, the country—s political capital, at a cost of 14.3 billion Tanzanian shillings (about $5.6 million). Covering more than 8,200 square metres, the facility is expected to significantly enhance Tanzania—s ability to verify mineral quality and value before sale or export.

Regional laboratories are also being built in Geita and Chunya, two of Tanzania—s most active mining zones. According to the Ministry of Minerals, nearly 19,700 mineral samples were analysed between July and December 2025 alone, reflecting a growing domestic capacity for independent mineral certification.

Analysts say such investments reduce information asymmetry, improve governance and lower transaction risk, factors that weigh heavily in US investment decisions.

Downstream opportunities and critical minerals

Tanzania is endowed with a diverse array of critical minerals that are increasingly central to the global transition toward clean energy and advanced technologies. Key among these are gold, diamonds, gemstones (such as tanzanite, ruby, and sapphire), graphite, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements.

Each of these resources supports distinct value chains and industrial applications. For instance, graphite and lithium are essential for the production of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage systems, and portable electronics. Tanzania—s nickel and cobalt deposits also feed into battery cathode production, while gold remains a cornerstone for investment, jewelry, and central bank reserves.

Beyond regulation, Tanzania—s strategy actively encourages investment in the downstream segment of the mining sector, which includes gold refining, gemstone cutting and polishing, and the manufacture of intermediate and finished mineral-based products.

By promoting domestic beneficiation, the government aims to capture more value locally, rather than exporting raw ores and concentrates, a move that can enhance revenue retention, create skilled jobs, and stimulate related industries.

The focus on battery and technology minerals underscores Tanzania—s potential role in global clean energy supply chains. With rising demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, these minerals are increasingly viewed as strategic assets, particularly for countries such as the United States, which are seeking reliable and diversified sources outside traditional suppliers.

In parallel, authorities are promoting closer integration between mining and manufacturing, a sector that currently contributes approximately 8.1% of Tanzania—s GDP and is expanding at an average annual growth rate of 8%.

Expanding domestic processing capacities, from refining gold to producing battery-grade lithium carbonate or graphite, could reduce Tanzania—s vulnerability to volatile global commodity prices while supporting the development of local industrial clusters. Such initiatives also align with broader regional and international trends emphasizing resource nationalism, economic diversification, and strategic supply chain security.

Formal markets and transparency

To enhance price discovery and curb illicit trade, Tanzania has expanded formal mineral auctions in partnership with the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX). These auctions provide a regulated platform for buying and selling gemstones, improving transparency and state revenue collection.

By December 2025, three gemstone auctions had been conducted in Mirerani and Arusha, generating sales worth 2.74 billion shillings. Government revenues from royalties, inspection fees and other levies exceeded 247 million shillings, according to official data.

The approach mirrors strategies adopted by countries such as Botswana, which significantly increased national revenues by investing in domestic diamond processing, and South Africa, which operates across a broad mining value chain.

To support value addition at scale, the government is prioritising investment in power generation, transport and logistics. Railways, ports and energy infrastructure are viewed as critical enablers for mineral processing industries.

Speaking to journalists in January 2026, Minister of Minerals Antony Mavunde outlined progress made during the first 100 days of President Samia Suluhu Hassan—s second term.

He confirmed the start of construction on the Dodoma laboratory, continued work on regional laboratories, and the installation of two briquette energy production plants in Tabora and Dodoma, expected to begin operations between February and March 2026.

He also cited expanded geological surveys in Kibiti and Rufiji districts and the installation of 32 seismic monitoring stations aimed at improving safety and sustainability in mining operations.

For US investors navigating a changing global minerals landscape, Tanzania—s reforms signal a shift towards a more structured, industrially oriented mining environment — one that extends beyond extraction to processing, manufacturing and long-term partnership.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — 1st February, 2026

Tanzania is accelerating a transformation in its mining sector that could strengthen its role as a strategic supplier of minerals crucial to Europe—s industrial and clean energy transition.

Under its National Development Vision 2050, the East African nation is shifting focus from raw mineral exports to domestic processing, creating new avenues for investment and industrial growth.

Tanzania is endowed with significant deposits of gold, diamonds, tanzanite, graphite, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth minerals. These materials are increasingly critical for Europe—s energy transition, electric mobility, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Lithium and graphite, for example, are key inputs for lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems, while nickel and cobalt feed into battery cathode production.

Gold continues to serve traditional roles in investment, jewelry, and financial reserves, whereas tanzanite, sapphire, and ruby support high-value gemstone markets. Historically, however, much of Tanzania—s mineral wealth was exported in raw form, limiting domestic value creation, industrial diversification, and traceability.

That paradigm is now changing. The government has implemented a series of policy and regulatory reforms aimed at promoting domestic beneficiation. These measures include export controls on unprocessed minerals, levies to incentivize in-country processing, and strengthened oversight by the Mining Commission. The goal, officials say, is to ensure that mineral extraction contributes to long-term development while improving governance, accountability, and revenue retention.

—The focus is no longer just extraction,— the government states in its Vision 2050 framework. —It is about building industries around our minerals and creating sustainable economic value.—

To support these reforms, Tanzania is investing heavily in geoscientific infrastructure. A flagship mineral analysis laboratory in Dodoma, costing 14.3 billion shillings and covering more than 8,200 square meters, is expected to improve verification of mineral quality and value before export.

Regional laboratories in Geita and Chunya complement this network. Between July and December 2025, government labs analyzed nearly 19,700 mineral samples, highlighting the scale of the initiative.

Such investments are particularly important for European companies increasingly operating under strict environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Improved traceability and certification reduce supply chain risks, enhance compliance, and build confidence in responsibly sourced minerals.

The reforms have opened new opportunities across the downstream mining ecosystem, from gold refining and gemstone cutting and polishing to the manufacture of intermediate and finished mineral-based products. By encouraging local processing of minerals like lithium and graphite, Tanzania aims to position itself as a supplier of battery-grade materials—a market of growing interest for Europe and other regions transitioning to renewable energy and EV technologies.

Officials also emphasize the importance of linking mining to manufacturing, a sector that currently contributes 8.1% of GDP and grows at an average of 8% per year. Greater integration can reduce reliance on imported industrial inputs, stabilize export earnings, and insulate the economy from volatile global commodity prices.

Transparent markets and governance

Transparency in mineral trading is another key pillar of Tanzania—s strategy. The government has expanded formal gemstone auctions in partnership with the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange.

By December 2025, three auctions generated sales of 2.74 billion shillings, with government revenues exceeding 247 million shillings. This model draws on lessons from Botswana and South Africa, where structured mineral markets and domestic processing have strengthened accountability and maximized national returns.

In January 2026, Minister of Minerals Antony Mavunde highlighted several initiatives underpinning Tanzania—s broader strategy: the completion of the Dodoma laboratory, construction of renewable energy briquette plants in Tabora and Dodoma, expanded geological surveys, and installation of 32 seismic monitoring stations to enhance safety and sustainability.

Together, these measures aim to create a more predictable and responsible mining environment, a factor that increasingly matters to global investors.

The focus on battery and technology minerals reflects the strategic potential of Tanzania—s mining sector.

Lithium, graphite, and nickel deposits are attracting growing interest from international companies seeking reliable, ethically sourced inputs for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and advanced manufacturing.

By offering local processing capacity, Tanzania can move beyond being a raw materials exporter to becoming a hub for value-added mineral products, supporting industrial development while meeting international supply chain standards.

Tanzania—s downstream ambitions align closely with Europe—s green transition goals. By processing minerals domestically, the country can help reduce Europe—s dependence on distant or politically sensitive suppliers, improve supply chain transparency, and promote sustainable sourcing. At the same time, domestic beneficiation creates jobs, builds local expertise, and generates higher returns from existing resources.

Looking ahead, Tanzania—s strategy could serve as a model for resource-rich countries seeking to balance extraction with industrial development and responsible governance.

With a combination of policy reforms, investment in geoscience infrastructure, strengthened oversight, and promotion of downstream industries, the country is poised to play a growing role in global mineral supply chains. For Europe, this represents an opportunity to secure reliable, traceable, and value-added sources of minerals critical to its industrial and energy transformation.

———— In partnership with theTanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX), formal gemstone auctions inMirerani and Arushagenerated2.74 billion shillingsin sales by December 2025, delivering247 million shillingsin government revenue.

———— Priority investments inpower generation, railways, ports, logistics, renewable energy briquette plants, geological surveys, and seismic monitoring systemsare intended to support industrial-scale mineral processing.

———— Tanzania is positioning itself not merely as a source of raw materials, but as aplatform for value-added mineral production, responsible sourcing, and long-term industrial collaborationfor US and European partners.

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