Tanzania’s Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals has approved the government’s spending framework for the mining sector for the 2026/27 fiscal year, underscoring the industry’s expanding role in export earnings and public revenue.
The decision follows a review of the Ministry of Minerals’ performance between July 2025 and February 2026, a period marked by rising export values, stronger revenue collection and intensified enforcement against illicit trade.
The mining sector accounted for 57% of Tanzania’s non-traditional exports, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of the country’s external sector. Export revenues from minerals climbed to $4.12 billion in 2024, up from $3.55 billion in 2023, a 16% increase driven by higher output and ongoing exploration activity.
Government revenues from the sector also showed robust growth. Collections reached 880.7 billion shillings ($340 million) in the eight months through February, up 27.5% from the same period a year earlier.
The government is targeting 1.2 trillion shillings in mining-related revenues for the full 2025/26 fiscal year.
Committee Chair Subira Mgalu said the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product reached 12.7% in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting new project development and expanded geological surveys.
Authorities have also stepped up enforcement, seizing minerals valued at 2.19 trillion shillings in 41 cases across key mining regions and transit points, including the country’s main international airport. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb smuggling and formalize trade flows.
State-owned Tanzania State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) has advanced partnerships with private investors, including a joint venture with South Africa-based Plantcor Mining and Plant Hire to develop gold licenses in the Geita region. The company also secured drilling contracts worth more than 5.2 billion shillings combined.
Meanwhile, the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST) retained its international laboratory accreditation following an external audit in February, extending its certified status through 2029 a development expected to support investor confidence in the country’s geological data and testing standards.
A total of 9,802 mining licenses were issued during the review period, exceeding government targets by nearly 47%, signaling sustained investor interest in Tanzania’s mineral resources.
Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde told lawmakers the government will proceed with planned investments, including the acquisition of a specialized exploration helicopter, aimed at improving geological mapping and resource identification.
The approval of the budget framework signals policy continuity in Tanzania’s mining sector, as the government seeks to deepen its contribution to economic growth while tightening regulatory oversight.
