Tanzania is positioning mineral value addition as a strategic tool for sustainable economic and social development, aiming to move African countries away from exporting raw minerals and toward processing them locally.
Deputy Minister of Minerals, Dr. Steven Kiruswa, highlighted this during his address at the Future Minerals Forum 2026, an international gathering of ministers, industry leaders, and stakeholders from over 100 countries.
“Minerals are one of Africa’s greatest assets,” Dr. Kiruswa said. “Prioritizing value addition within our countries can transform mineral wealth into sustainable development for our citizens and economies.”
Dr. Kiruswa outlined Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its mining sector, including improvements in transport and communication infrastructure.
These initiatives include the development of high-speed rail, road networks, reliable electricity, and port expansions, all designed to ensure smooth movement of resources from mines to processing industries.
He stressed that every country must invest in refining, processing, and purification industries. Tanzania, he noted, is actively enhancing its mineral value chain by creating a favorable investment environment and improving international transport systems, particularly through the Port of Dar es Salaam.
On regional cooperation, Dr. Kiruswa urged African nations to establish regional hubs for mineral processing in countries with strong infrastructure. Such collaboration would allow neighboring nations to benefit while fostering cross-sector partnerships with the Middle East to strengthen trade and investment.
Tanzania’s delegation at the forum included Deputy Minister Dr. Kiruswa, the Acting Ambassador to Riyadh, and experts from the Ministry of Minerals, the Minerals Commission, Tanzania Mining Corporation (STAMICO), and the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST).