Tanzania's National Development Vision 2050 has placed the mining sector at the heart of the country's long-term economic transformation, with an ambitious agenda centred on mineral value addition, greater local participation and the adoption of modern technologies to maximise the industry's contribution to national development.
Mining Commission chairperson Dr Janet Lekashingo said the new vision provides a strategic roadmap for transforming the sector into a major engine of economic growth by promoting local processing of minerals, expanding geological exploration and strengthening Tanzanians' participation across the mining value chain.
Speaking during a tour of the Ministry of Minerals' exhibition stands at the Mining Village during the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), popularly known as Sabasaba, on July 6, Dr Lekashingo said the commission was fully prepared to implement the Vision 2050 agenda.
She said the strategy seeks to move Tanzania away from exporting raw minerals by encouraging domestic value addition, a shift expected to create jobs, stimulate industrialisation and increase foreign exchange earnings.
"The National Development Vision 2050 provides clear direction for the mining sector to become a key pillar of sustainable economic growth. Our task is to ensure its objectives are translated into tangible results that benefit Tanzanians," Dr Lekashingo said.
She noted that the vision also prioritises intensified geological research to identify new mineral deposits, wider participation of Tanzanians in mining investments and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies that improve operational efficiency while enhancing safety in mining areas.
Dr Lekashingo urged visitors to the Sabasaba exhibition to tour the Mining Commission's pavilion to learn about the commission's services and opportunities available in the mineral value chain, including procedures for acquiring licences, participating in mineral trading and selling minerals through the country's mineral markets and buying centres.
She also commended the commission's leadership and staff for exceeding their revenue collection target during the 2025/26 financial year, describing the achievement as a reflection of stronger governance and improved management within the mining sector.
However, she cautioned against complacency, saying the commission now faces the challenge of surpassing its revenue target of Sh1.4 trillion in the 2026/27 financial year.
"You have done an excellent job by exceeding the revenue target, but we must maintain the momentum. We have an even bigger responsibility to surpass the Sh1.4 trillion target set for the 2026/27 financial year," she said.
During her visit, Dr Lekashingo toured exhibition booths of agencies under the Ministry of Minerals, including the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO), the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST), the Tanzania Gemological Centre (TGC) and other stakeholders showcasing innovations and services within the mining industry.
She later visited the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), the Zanzibar pavilion and the Ministry of Energy's exhibition stand, where she called on the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) to accelerate the extension of electricity infrastructure to mining and mineral processing areas.
She said reliable electricity remains critical to increasing productivity, supporting mineral beneficiation, reducing production costs and enhancing the mining sector's contribution to Tanzania's gross domestic product and broader economic transformation under Vision 2050.
