Tanzania’s Mining Commission has announced a renewed push to increase the participation of Tanzanians in the supply of goods and services to the country’s mining sector a move aimed at driving inclusive economic growth and retaining more value from mineral resources within the local economy.
Speaking at the ongoing 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), the Commission’s Public Relations and Communications Manager, Mr Greyson Mwase, said the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to empower local enterprises and reinforce national content in the extractive industry.
“Through the Mining Act, Cap 123, Section 102 and the Local Content Regulations of 2018, the government is committed to ensuring that Tanzanians are not sidelined in the mining economy,” Mr Mwase told reporters.
“These regulations were introduced to guarantee that local suppliers and service providers are given priority, rather than allowing mining firms to source from abroad.”he added
Official data from the Mining Commission indicates that the sector created 19,874 formal jobs in the 2023/2024 financial year with 97 percent of those roles filled by Tanzanians. Only 503 positions, or 3 percent, were held by foreign nationals.
The figures highlight a significant shift in employment patterns in the industry, historically dominated by foreign expertise, and underscore the government’s drive to deepen domestic capacity across the value chain.
Mr Mwase revealed that mining companies operating in Tanzania collectively spend over TSh 5.3 trillion (approximately USD 2 billion) each year on procurement.
“This is a huge economic opportunity for Tanzanians,” he said, urging local entrepreneurs to develop or scale up businesses that support mining activities from equipment supply and catering services to transport, sanitation and logistics.
He further called on financial institutions to expand access to credit and capital for local investors eyeing the sector. “Unlocking affordable finance will be critical for Tanzanians who want to take part meaningfully in this space.”
The Mining Commission is actively using public platforms, such as the DITF, to sensitise citizens about opportunities in the mining supply chain.
Officials say the aim is to ensure that more Tanzanians benefit from the country's natural wealth, while promoting broader economic transformation through value retention and job creation.
Tanzania is among Africa’s top producers of gold and other strategic minerals. While foreign direct investment has played a key role in developing large-scale mining operations, the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has placed growing emphasis on local content, industrial linkages and sustainable development within the extractive sector.