By Our Correspondent, Dodoma
The Government, through the Ministry of Minerals, has officially gazetted a list of 20 goods and services in the mining sector that must be provided exclusively by companies that are 100 per cent Tanzanian-owned, in a move aimed at expanding local participation in the mining value chain.
Announcing the decision in Dodoma on January 5, 2025, the Minister for Minerals, Mr Anthony Mavunde, said the measure is part of the implementation of directives issued by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to ensure Tanzanians fully benefit from the country’s mineral resources.
Mr Mavunde explained that the move follows amendments to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations of 2018, which are intended to strengthen Tanzanian participation in the sector.
“In the first phase, on November 14, 2025, the Mining Commission announced a list of goods and services that must be supplied by companies wholly owned by Tanzanians. For the first time, this will be formally declared under Regulation 13A,” said the minister.
He noted that procurement of goods and services from Tanzanian companies has significantly increased, rising from Sh1.85 trillion out of total procurements worth Sh3.01 trillion (equivalent to 62 per cent) in 2018 to Sh4.41 trillion, which is 88 per cent of the Sh5.00 trillion total procurement recorded in 2024.
On employment, Mr Mavunde said the mining sector has recorded notable growth in jobs for Tanzanians. Local employment rose from 6,668 out of 7,003 jobs (95 per cent) in 2018 to 18,853 out of 19,356 jobs, equivalent to 97 per cent, by December 2024.
He added that for positions requiring specialised experience due to advancing global technology, the government has put in place a legal framework to ensure succession and skills transfer to Tanzanians from expatriate experts. As an example, he cited the North Mara Gold Mine, owned by Twiga Minerals Corporation (Barrick Gold), where all senior management positions are currently held by Tanzanians.
Meanwhile, the minister said the government continues to widen opportunities for local participation in the mining sector by enhancing the value derived from mineral resources. He revealed that a 1,331-acre special investment area has been set aside at the former Buzwagi large-scale gold mine for the establishment of industries producing mining-related goods.
He said six factories have already been constructed at the site, while owners of 15 additional factories have expressed interest in investing in the area.
Mr Mavunde called on the private sector to seize available opportunities in supplying goods and services to mines, noting that this would help retain more financial resources within the country and stimulate economic growth.
He also urged all investors to strictly adhere to mining laws and the Local Content Regulations, while encouraging Tanzanians to take advantage of existing opportunities in mining projects to address employment challenges for both individual and national benefit.
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