Tanzania has solidified its position as a regional leader in the management and development of the mining sector within East and Central Africa.
This success has attracted interest from neighboring Kenya, which has sent a delegation to learn from Tanzania’s best practices in coal mining and trade.
A delegation comprising officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Department of Coal is currently on a study tour in Tanzania.
The visit aims to exchange knowledge and gain insight into Tanzania’s achievements, particularly in the coal mining subsector.
A key meeting was held today, May 19, 2025, in Dodoma, led by Francis Mihayo, the Assistant Commissioner for Small-Scale Mining in Tanzania.
In his remarks, Mihayo highlighted that coal mining and trade is one of the areas where Tanzania has made remarkable progress.
He attributed the country’s success to strong institutional oversight and key policy reforms, notably the amendment of the Mining Act in 2017, which created a more robust legal and regulatory framework.
“In recent years, Tanzania’s mining sector has seen significant growth, largely due to the government’s efforts to create a conducive environment for investors including in coal. We’re now witnessing commercial mining activities that comply with laws, regulations, and environmental standards,” said Mihayo.
The Kenyan delegation, led by Acting Director of Petroleum, Robert Kibiwot, commended Tanzania’s Ministry of Minerals for its proactive role in strengthening the sector and contributing to the country’s broader economic development.
Kibiwot noted that although Kenya possesses significant coal reserves, commercial mining has yet to begin.
“We have coal resources, but they remain untapped. At the moment, we import coal from Tanzania, South Africa, and the United States. That’s why we’re here to learn how Tanzania has successfully developed and managed its coal mining industry,” he stated.
As part of the visit, the Kenyan team is also scheduled to tour the Kiwira Coal Mine, operated by the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO).
The visit will provide a practical perspective on how Tanzania implements its mining strategies on the ground, particularly in coal extraction and trade.
Over the past few years, Tanzania has prioritized reforms and strategic investments in the mining sector efforts that have begun to yield tangible results.
These achievements continue to draw the attention of other nations across Sub-Saharan Africa, eager to learn from Tanzania’s model of effective mining governance.