The partnership between the Government of Tanzania and Barrick Mining Corporation through Twiga Minerals Corporation has emerged as one of the country's most successful public-private partnerships, delivering strong returns to the Treasury while supporting education, infrastructure, local businesses and community development.
Nearly seven years after the joint venture was established in 2019, Barrick-Twiga has become a major contributor to the mining sector, which now accounts for about 10 per cent of Tanzania's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The company operates the Bulyanhulu and North Mara gold mines, while the Buzwagi mine is undergoing closure.
The partnership has generated billions of shillings in taxes, royalties and dividends, while creating employment opportunities, expanding local procurement and financing projects in education, healthcare, water and transport infrastructure.
This year, Barrick-Twiga posted its highest-ever dividend payment to the Government, declaring TZS221.9 billion, making it the leading dividend contributor among more than 300 companies in which the State holds shares.
The latest payout follows a steady increase over recent years, from TZS53.5 billion in 2021/22 to TZS84 billion in 2022/23 and TZS93.6 billion in 2024/25.
The company was also recognised as the country's leading taxpayer for the 2024/25 financial year, receiving the President's Top Taxpayer Award during the Tanzania Revenue Authority's (TRA) 30th anniversary celebrations.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan presented the award to Barrick Country Manager Dr Melkiory Ngido, recognising the company's contribution to domestic revenue mobilisation.
The recognition came shortly after Barrick released its latest Sustainability Report, outlining its environmental, social and governance performance across its global operations.
Barrick President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow said sustainability remains at the heart of the company's business model.
"As we enter a new phase of growth, sustainability remains the foundation of how we operate. Our priorities continue to be protecting our people, mining responsibly, building strong partnerships and creating long-term value shared with our stakeholders," he said.
According to the report, 96 per cent of Barrick's global workforce—including employees in Tanzania—are citizens of host countries, while 76 per cent of its suppliers are locally based. Last year alone, the company spent more than USD7.1 billion on local procurement worldwide and invested over USD62 million in community development initiatives.
Since the formation of the Barrick-Twiga partnership, the company says it has injected more than USD4.79 billion into Tanzania's economy through taxes, royalties, dividends, salaries, payments to local suppliers and community investment programmes.
Its local content policy has also increased participation by Tanzanian businesses, with more than 90 per cent of production-related procurement sourced from local suppliers.
The company says 96 per cent of its workforce is Tanzanian, including employees recruited from communities surrounding the North Mara and Bulyanhulu mines, while senior management positions in its Tanzanian operations are held by local professionals.
One of Barrick-Twiga's flagship social investments is the Barrick-Twiga Future Forward Education Programme, which aims to improve infrastructure in government Advanced Level secondary schools.
The programme seeks to address shortages of classrooms, dormitories and sanitation facilities that have limited student enrolment.
Its second phase, launched recently by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Prof Riziki Shemdoe, will cost more than TZS70.5 billion.
The project will construct 1,090 classrooms, 1,660 toilets and sanitation facilities, and 270 dormitories across 161 schools nationwide.
The first phase delivered 374 classrooms, 89 dormitories and 569 toilets, helping improve learning conditions for thousands of students.
The investment coincides with improved national examination performance. According to the National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA), 124,603 Advanced Level candidates—equivalent to 99.56 per cent—passed with Divisions I to III in the latest examinations. The Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) has also expanded undergraduate admission capacity to 170,000 students.
Barrick-Twiga is also financing the construction of the 73-kilometre Kahama–Bulyanhulu Junction–Kakola tarmac road, a TZS101.2 billion project expected to improve transport links and stimulate economic activity in north-western Tanzania.
In higher education, the company recently signed a 10-year partnership with the University of Dar es Salaam, committing TZS25 billion to fund scholarships, research and practical training for more than 500 students in mining and geology.
The initiative also includes overseas sponsorships, with five Tanzanian students already supported to pursue specialised mining studies in South Africa.
The Barrick-Twiga partnership has become a prominent example of how collaboration between government and the private sector can deliver measurable economic and social outcomes.
Beyond its contribution to public finances, the joint venture has expanded opportunities for Tanzanian businesses, strengthened local skills, improved public infrastructure and increased investment in education.
Its experience suggests that well-structured partnerships between the State and private investors can play an important role in advancing Tanzania's long-term development agenda while ensuring that the benefits of natural resources are shared more broadly across the economy.
