Tanzania’s mining sector has continued to attract regional attention due to its growing contribution to the national economy, as highlighted during the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Expo (MICE) 2026 held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The two-day conference brought together ministers, investors, and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss investment opportunities and strategies for developing the mining industry.
Discussions focused on improving governance, increasing value addition, and strengthening regional cooperation in the extractive sector.
Speaking during a ministerial panel, Tanzania’s Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, outlined ongoing reforms in the sector, including efforts to improve investment conditions, strengthen regulatory systems, and expand value addition activities within the country.
He noted that these measures are aimed at increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy and improving benefits for citizens.
The conference was officially opened by Kenya’s President William Ruto, who called for stronger collaboration among African countries in the mining sector.
He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in processing and adding value to mineral resources rather than exporting them in raw form.
He further noted that African countries need to work together in developing infrastructure, technology, and industrial capacity to improve competitiveness in global markets.
During the discussions, Tanzania was identified by several participating countries as a reference point in areas of mining governance, regulation, and inclusion of small-scale miners in the formal economy.
Countries such as Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan expressed interest in learning from Tanzania’s systems and experience in managing the sector.
Kenya’s Minister for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho, stated that African countries should prioritize cooperation in the mining sector in order to enhance shared benefits.
He added that regional coordination is essential for improving value addition and maximizing returns from mineral resources.
Somalia’s Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, said Somalia is studying different regional approaches, including Tanzania’s mining framework, to support the development of its own regulatory systems and institutional capacity.
Other participants included Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Henry Alake, and South Sudan’s Minister of Mining, Losuba Ludoru Wongo.
The ministers agreed on the need to strengthen regional collaboration in mining policy, investment, and value chain development.
They also noted that Africa holds significant mineral resources, but greater coordination is needed to ensure more benefits are retained within the continent through processing, industrialization, and job creation.
Minister Mavunde used the platform to encourage investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania’s mining sector, particularly in exploration, extraction, processing, and value addition.
He stated that the government continues to improve the business environment to support both local and foreign investment.
The discussions at the conference highlighted ongoing efforts across African countries to improve the management of mineral resources and strengthen cooperation in the sector for broader economic development.
