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| Asha Hassan Msangi (pictured), calls on women to take advantage of the opportunities available in the mining industry. Photo: Courtesy |
By Charles Mkoka
Women across Tanzania have been encouraged to actively pursue opportunities in the mining sector, including investing in mining activities and providing services to the industry. With the government creating an enabling environment for all to participate in the mining economy, regardless of gender, women have a unique chance to contribute to the sector's growth by adhering to the required laws and regulations.
Asha Hassan Msangi, popularly known as Mama Nakio, a renowned small-scale miner and Chairperson of Manda Gold Mine, made this call in Kahama while speaking to the Government Communications Unit of the Ministry of Mining. Mama Nakio, who started her career in rice farming before transitioning to mining, now holds 12 mining licenses and has built a successful business in the sector.
She urged women to take advantage of the opportunities available in the mining industry, noting that their involvement could transform not only their own lives but also the industry at large. "Women play a crucial role in the mining value chain, from extraction to processing, and many women are leading in providing essential services like food to miners," she emphasized.
Mama Nakio also thanked the government, particularly President Samia Suluhu Hassan, for empowering women and creating a supportive environment for their success in the sector. "The government has truly uplifted women in mining," she said, expressing her gratitude for the resources and support available, including licenses and education.
Resident Mining Officer for Kahama, Winnifrida Mrema, echoed Mama Nakio’s sentiments, reflecting on how times have changed for women in mining. “There was a time when women in mining were rare, but now their numbers have grown significantly across all levels of the sector,” Mrema remarked, praising Mama Nakio as an inspiration for women nationwide.
As the Ministry of Mining prepares to launch the "Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow" (MBT) program aimed at empowering women and youth, the call for greater female participation in mining is louder than ever. The program will focus on providing training, equipment, and mining licenses to ensure that women can continue to thrive in this historically male-dominated industry.
With testimonies like Mama Nakio’s, the message is clear: women have a vital role to play in shaping the future of Tanzania’s mining sector.
