PM Majaliwa underscores need for Africa to tweak human resource to benefit from the continent’s natural resources

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Speaking during a tour of the African Minerals and Geosciences Center (AMGC), Mr Kassim Majaliwa said the continent has the required expertise and technology on mineral development, noting that the same must be transferred across the continent.

Dar es Salaam. Africa needs to tweak its human resource to be able to benefit from the continent’s abundant natural resources, the Prime Minister has said.

Speaking during a tour of the African Minerals and Geosciences Center (AMGC), Mr Kassim Majaliwa said the continent has the required expertise and technology on mineral development, noting that the same must be transferred across the continent.

The AMGC - which has eight member states – is now celebrating its 40th anniversary.

According to him, all eight AMGC member states have mineral resources in their countries but the biggest challenge was having the correct expertise and skills to manage the sector to its full potential.

“The biggest challenge is ensuring the mineral sector contributes hugely to our countries’ economic development,” he said.

He noted that despite the fact that Tanzania is well endowed with mineral resources, it contributes only four per cent to the gross domestic product.

He said that AMGC is among a few institutions in the world that have the right technology to analyze and trace rocks with minerals.

In view of this, he called on the members including Tanzania to ensure it pays its annual subscription fee of $62,000 to enable the centre to run itself.

The member states include Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Moroccos, Ethopia, Sudan, Angola, and Mozambique.