Tanzania is stepping up efforts to transform its mineral wealth into industrial growth, with the government placing value addition, local manufacturing and strategic investments at the centre of its mining agenda.
The strategy will take centre stage at the seventh Tanzania Mining and Investment Conference (TMIC 2026), scheduled for November 19–21 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam. The conference is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and over 100 speakers from more than 50 countries.
Launching preparations for the conference on Saturday, Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde said Tanzania is shifting away from exporting raw minerals towards processing and refining them domestically to create jobs, expand industries and increase export earnings.
"The future of Tanzania's mining industry lies in value addition. Our goal is to ensure that minerals drive industrial development rather than leaving the country as raw materials," Mr Mavunde said.
According to Mr Mavunde, Tanzania has already established eight gold refineries, while Dodoma Region hosts nine mineral processing plants that are either operational or under construction. The country is also developing a major nickel and copper smelter to support downstream industrial production.
He said more than Sh600 billion is being invested in a steel manufacturing plant that will rely entirely on locally sourced raw materials, while additional investments are underway in Kigamboni and Tanga to process heavy mineral sands and at the Panda Hill niobium project in Mbeya.
The minister said the government's local content programme is also expanding economic opportunities for Tanzanians, with procurement by mining companies reaching Sh5.1 trillion. Twenty categories of goods have now been reserved for local manufacturers supplying the mining industry.
"We want Tanzanian businesses to seize these opportunities by producing goods that meet international quality standards," he said.
The mining sector has continued to strengthen its contribution to public finances, generating Sh1.374 trillion in government revenue during the current financial year, exceeding the annual target of Sh1.2 trillion.
To unlock new mineral resources, the government has earmarked 10 percent of all mining sector revenue for advanced geophysical exploration. The programme aims to increase the country's mapped mineral potential from the current 16 percent to 50 percent by 2030.
Mr Mavunde also announced plans to establish a dedicated credit facility for small-scale miners, who account for about 40 percent of the sector's revenue despite facing persistent challenges in accessing finance and modern technology.
In addition, the government is introducing a digital system to revoke inactive mining licences automatically. Licence holders who fail to submit the required information within the stipulated period will receive a 30-day notice before their licences are cancelled electronically.
The conference will bring together policymakers, mining companies, investors, financial institutions, technology providers and researchers to discuss investment opportunities, critical minerals, clean energy, environmental governance, taxation and mineral value chains.
It will also place renewed emphasis on strengthening the participation of small-scale miners, women and persons with disabilities across the mining value chain, reflecting the government's push for more inclusive growth in one of Tanzania's fastest-growing economic sectors.
