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| Minister of Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde. Photo: File |
By Charles Mkoka
Tanzania's mining sector took a significant step forward with the launch of the Tanzanian Mining Sector Suppliers Association (Tamisa), a new organization established to advocate for the interests of suppliers in the industry. The association aims to enhance local content, foster innovation, improve business environments, and promote collaboration and sustainability within the mining supply chain.
Speaking at the inauguration of Tamisa, the Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, lauded the initiative’s commitment to advancing local content policies. "Uniting Tanzanians in the mining sector through local content is crucial for sustainable growth," Mavunde said. He emphasized that Tamisa’s formation provides an official, unified voice for mining suppliers, helping to address challenges and strengthen the industry's supply chain.
Mavunde further praised the government’s efforts to ensure the wealth generated from the country’s mineral resources directly benefits Tanzanians. He highlighted that Tamisa will play a critical role in supporting the government’s economic agenda, especially in reducing reliance on imported inputs by encouraging local industries to manufacture essential mining products.
“The government envisions a future where Tanzanian companies take the lead in establishing industries and producing vital goods for the mining sector. This priority on domestic investment, employment, and locally produced goods and services is essential for economic growth and reducing dependency on external inputs,” Mavunde added. He noted that these efforts would significantly contribute to job creation, skill development, and the expansion of related industries, thereby integrating the mining sector more deeply into the national economy.
Tamisa, established under the umbrella of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, has been warmly welcomed by Minister Mavunde as a vital platform for mining suppliers to have a formal voice in addressing key issues. The association will ensure that suppliers' rights are protected, business environments are improved, and any challenges faced by stakeholders in the supply chain are addressed.
Peter Kumalilwa, Chairman of Tamisa, explained that the organization was created to empower and unite suppliers in the mining sector. "Our mission is to advocate for the growth and success of mining suppliers, improve the business landscape, defend their rights, and promote research and technological advancement," Kumalilwa said. "Innovation and sustainability are at the heart of what we do, ensuring our members are at the forefront of the industry."
He further emphasized the long-standing importance of the mining sector to Tanzania's economy, noting that its potential can only be fully realized by extending the benefits beyond extraction. "We must ensure that the wealth generated from mining reaches the wider economy through the development and empowerment of local supply chains. This is why Tamisa was born—to champion the growth and prosperity of mining suppliers," Kumalilwa concluded.
The launch of Tamisa marks a major milestone in the country’s drive to ensure that the wealth from Tanzania’s natural resources contributes to the broader economic development of its people.