Tanzania targets $11.7 billion revenue boost through mineral value addition

The high-level meeting brought together industry leaders, senior policymakers, diplomats, and strategic partners at the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro to discuss how Tanzania can move up the value chain by leveraging its vast mineral wealth.

The dialogue drew on a UK-funded Manufacturing Africa study implemented by McKinsey & Company and BDO, in collaboration with ASNL Advisory.

The report identified 14 high-impact investment opportunities across 11 minerals, including gold, graphite, rare earth elements, nickel, copper, cobalt, limestone, and phosphates.

According to the study, Tanzania could strengthen its competitiveness by transitioning to value-added products such as cement, ceramics, glass, refined gold, jewellery, and battery minerals—resources vital to the global green economy.

UK High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ms Marianne Young, said her country remained committed to supporting Tanzania’s industrialisation ambitions through mineral value chains.

“This dialogue comes at a decisive moment for Tanzania. With its vast mineral endowment, the country can become a manufacturing hub for the region and a strategic player in the global green economy,” she said.

CEOrt chairman David Tarimo stressed the urgency of moving beyond exporting raw materials if Tanzania is to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.

“Mining contributes about 10 percent to Tanzania’s GDP, with gold accounting for nearly 80 percent of our mineral exports. We see an opportunity to go beyond this and position Tanzania as a hub for processing industries targeting export markets,” he said.

He added that scaling up domestic beneficiation would not only boost revenue but also help establish a regional manufacturing hub aligned with Africa’s green growth agenda.

“Tanzania’s mineral wealth can power the next 25 years of growth in line with the 2050 Vision if value addition is prioritized,” he said.

The session featured a panel discussion moderated by Ms Anna Rabin, Managing Director of Above Ground Advisory and Australia’s Honorary Consul to Tanzania.

Panellists called for consistent policies, investment-ready projects, and stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.

Board Chairman of Tanzania Breweries Limited, Mr Leonard Mususa, stressed the importance of collaboration and bold action to drive the minerals-to-manufacturing agenda.

He said Tanzania was well placed to attract investment in mineral-based industries.

He added that to unlock the potential, Tanzania must focus on bankable projects, consistent policies, and local enterprise development.

 “By bringing together capital, partnerships, and advocacy, Tanzania can capture far more value from its mineral wealth,” said Mr Mususa.

Meanwhile, acting commissioner for Minerals in the Ministry of Minerals, Mr Terence Ngole, reiterated the government’s commitment to partnerships that would drive value addition.

He said that with the global economy rapidly shifting toward green technologies—powered by minerals like cobalt, nickel, graphite, and rare earths—Tanzania’s mineral reserves are becoming increasingly strategic.

“The government has been working closely with the private sector and see how the mineral sector can contribute more in the GDP, reduce dependence on raw exports, strengthen our industrial base, and create thousands of jobs for its growing youth population,” he said.

He added that the government was determined to reduce dependence on raw exports, strengthen the industrial base, and create thousands of jobs for the country’s youth through value addition.