Tanzania has signed a cooperation agreement with Finland aimed at strengthening geological research and improving the quality of mineral data, as the East African nation steps up efforts to attract large-scale mining investment.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, brings together the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST).
Officials say the deal will focus on technical capacity building, laboratory development and advanced geoscientific research.
Mining minister Anthony Mavunde said the partnership would help modernise Tanzania’s mining sector and align it with international standards, supporting the government’s strategy to increase value addition and sustainable resource management.
Under the agreement, Finnish experts will work with Tanzanian counterparts to strengthen laboratory operations, including internationally compliant sample testing and validation of geoscientific data.
The two institutions will also collaborate on high-resolution geophysical surveys designed to improve the accuracy and accessibility of mineral information.
Reliable geological data is seen as critical to reducing exploration risk and attracting long-term capital, particularly as global competition intensifies for critical minerals used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and battery storage.
The MoU follows bilateral talks between Mavunde and Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Sakari Puisto, which focused on sustainable mining practices and technical cooperation.
Separately, the Tanzanian delegation held discussions with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), led by Deputy Director Thomas Hardy, on potential collaboration in critical and strategic minerals.
Talks covered advanced airborne geophysical surveys and gemstone research projects undertaken in partnership with GST under exploration licences held by the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO).
Mavunde urged deeper cooperation on geological mapping to support the development of new mining projects, saying comprehensive data would be key to attracting major international operators.
In another meeting, global miner Rio Tinto expressed interest in Tanzania’s copper, bauxite and graphite potential.
Officials cited infrastructure upgrades, including the Standard Gauge Railway and TAZARA rail link, alongside mining policy reforms and joint-venture provisions under the Mining Act, as factors supporting investor confidence.
Tanzania is seeking to shift from exporting raw minerals towards building domestic processing capacity, positioning the sector as a driver of industrial growth, export earnings and job creation.
Notes to Editors
– Tanzania is among Africa’s leading mineral producers, with significant deposits of gold, graphite, nickel, rare earth elements, copper and gemstones.
– The government is pursuing a strategy to move from exporting raw minerals toward domestic processing and value addition, in line with its Vision 2050 industrialisation agenda.
– The Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) is responsible for national geological mapping, mineral data management and research to support exploration and investment.
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