Tanzania is stepping up investment in gemstone processing skills, technology and infrastructure as it seeks to retain more value from its mineral resources, create jobs and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The government says strengthening the Tanzania Gemmological Centre (TGC) will help address gaps in local expertise and technology that have limited the country's capacity to participate fully in the gemstone value chain.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Mr Msafiri Mbibo, said the centre was expected to become a key institution in developing the skills and technical capacity needed to transform gemstones and precious metals into higher-value products.
Speaking during the inauguration of the TGC Board in Arusha on October 29, 2026, he said investment in specialised training and modern facilities was critical to ensuring that the country derived greater economic benefits from its mineral resources.
One of the major investments is an eight-storey building being constructed for the centre using domestic funds. The project has reached 21 per cent completion, Mr Mbibo said.
The government is also acquiring modern machinery and equipment to improve training and strengthen the centre's capacity to provide specialised services.
The investments come as Tanzania seeks to move beyond extracting and selling raw minerals towards developing local industries capable of processing, designing and manufacturing products from gemstones.
For local entrepreneurs and young people, the expansion of such capacity could open opportunities in gemstone cutting, polishing, jewellery production, mineral identification and other specialised services.
Through TGC, Tanzanians can access certificate and diploma programmes, gemstone identification, product manufacturing, consultancy and research services.
These activities are expected to help build a skilled workforce while supporting businesses seeking to enter or expand their operations in the gemstone industry.
However, the effectiveness of the investment will depend on the centre's ability to translate training, technology and research into practical opportunities for local businesses and employment.
Mr Mbibo challenged the newly inaugurated Board, chaired by Dr George Mofulu, to ensure that the centre's resources were managed transparently and that planned projects delivered measurable results.
He stressed the importance of professionalism, integrity and accountability, particularly in managing public funds, projects and institutional resources.
He also called on the Board to align TGC's programmes with the Ministry of Minerals' priorities and Development Vision 2050.
Dr Mofulu thanked the government for entrusting the Board with overseeing the centre's development, saying its priority would be to provide professional guidance and strengthen institutional performance.
He said the Board wanted to position TGC as a leading gemstone value addition institution in the region, with a focus on improving expertise, training and specialised services.
Acting TGC Coordinator, Engineer Ally Maganga, said management was ready to implement the Board's recommendations to ensure the institution achieved its objectives.
He said effective cooperation between management and the Board would be essential in improving service delivery and strengthening the centre's contribution to the mining sector.
The investment is part of the government's Vision 2030: Minerals are Life and Wealth strategy, which seeks to increase the contribution of mineral resources to economic development.
For Tanzania, the bigger test will be whether improved local expertise and processing capacity can translate into more gemstone products manufactured domestically, stronger businesses and sustainable jobs, rather than leaving much of the value generated by the country's mineral wealth outside its borders.