Joseph Isangura
Tanzania is stepping up efforts to ensure that minerals extracted within the country are processed locally, boosting revenue, creating jobs, and driving broader economic growth.
This approach was emphasized by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Minerals, Eng. Yahya Samamba, during a meeting with officials from the Mining Commission – Arusha Region and the Tanzania Gemological Centre (TGC) in Arusha on December 17, 2025.
Eng. Samamba said the government views local value addition as a critical strategy for maximizing the economic benefits of Tanzania’s rich mineral resources. By processing and refining minerals domestically before export, the country can increase its national revenue, enhance the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and generate employment across the entire mineral value chain.
“Following the directives of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, we must ensure that beneficiation activities occur within Tanzania. This is the government’s clear strategy to ensure the mining sector contributes fully to national economic growth,” Eng. Samamba said, emphasizing that minerals are a key natural resource that should directly support the country’s development.
He also reassured that small-scale miners would continue to receive priority attention, noting that they are a vital component of the sector, contributing significantly to mineral production and revenue collection. The government aims to create an enabling environment that allows these miners to improve productivity, efficiency, and their overall contribution to the economy.
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Eng. Samamba further encouraged officials at the Mining Commission and TGC to uphold professional standards, adhere to public service ethics, and eliminate corruption in all operations. He highlighted that respectful communication and excellent service delivery are essential for maintaining the government’s credibility and creating a positive public image.
“Providing quality services, avoiding corruption, and communicating respectfully are foundational for the success of our institutions and the sector as a whole,” he said, urging staff to continue working with dedication, innovation, and patriotism to ensure the mining sector remains a driver of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
On the development front, Eng. Ally Maganga, Coordinator of TGC, reported that construction of the Tanzania Gemological Centre building has reached 10 percent. The project is part of a government initiative to strengthen gemology and gemstone processing in the country, supporting training, research, and value addition in the gemstone subsector.
Arusha Regional Mining Officer, Francis Mihayo, confirmed that the region is actively implementing government directives through careful monitoring of mining, processing, and trade activities. He emphasized that the Mining Officer’s Office will continue collaborating with small-scale miners, investors, and government institutions to maintain a business-friendly environment, enforce regulations, and increase the sector’s contribution to regional and national economic growth.
Tanzania’s commitment to local beneficiation and value addition is viewed as a transformative step for the mining sector, promising not only increased revenue but also expanded employment opportunities, industrial development, and sustainable economic progress for the nation.
