Tanzania is poised to become a major player in the global critical minerals market, as experts and stakeholders urge the government to take bold, strategic action to harness the country’s vast mineral wealth for national development and global competitiveness.
Speaking during a recent Policy Forum discussion themed “Critical Minerals and Tanzania’s Energy Transition,” Engineer Lightness Salema, CEO of Women in Mining Operations, emphasized the need for deliberate investment in local capacity, inclusive governance, and sustainable mining practices.
“The path forward must be people-centered, environmentally conscious, and geared toward long-term prosperity,” Salema said, urging authorities to learn from historical missteps in the sector.
Tanzania is endowed with significant deposits of critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, and rare earth elements – all of which are vital to renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and global climate goals. However, past challenges including illicit financial flows, environmental degradation, and limited local processing infrastructure have hindered the sector’s full potential.
Stakeholders are now calling for sweeping reforms to address these bottlenecks.
Learning from the Past, Building for the Future
Salema highlighted the urgent need to address legacy issues such as tax evasion, weak community engagement, and insufficient oversight in mining operations. She proposed stronger regulatory frameworks and greater transparency to rebuild public trust and ensure that local communities directly benefit from mineral activities.
“Without strong local value addition, we’ll remain exporters of raw materials while importing finished products at a premium,” she warned.
Other speakers echoed the call for reform. Gerald Mturi, General Manager of Adavale Resources Tanzania, stressed the importance of streamlining the mining license process and called for the establishment of a centralized permit system to improve efficiency.
“A single-window system at the Mining Commission involving key environmental and forestry agencies would remove red tape and attract more exploration investment,” Mturi said.
He also pointed out electricity supply challenges, noting that it took decades for some major mines to connect to the national grid. While generation capacity has improved, transmission infrastructure still lags behind demand.
A Strategic Moment for Tanzania
Experts say that the rising global demand for critical minerals presents Tanzania with a rare opportunity to secure its place in future green technologies. Global interest in minerals such as lithium and graphite is surging due to their role in battery production and renewable energy storage.
“Tanzania’s southern regions hold vast untapped lithium potential. With the right investment and regulatory clarity, we could become a key supplier to international markets,” said Dariah Clemence, advisor to the Asusa Creative Writers Initiative.
However, Clemence warned that stakeholder participation remains low and called on the government to replicate the inclusive models used in youth and education policies within the mining sector.
Meanwhile, Clement Mworia of the Tanzania United Contractors and Allied Services Association (TUCASA) raised concerns over unresolved issues surrounding copper concentrates, urging the government to clarify its position to avoid revenue losses.
Youth Voices and Accountability
Calvin Mmary of the Mentorship to Youth on Development and Global Change Organisation (MYDEGC) criticized what he described as inconsistent leadership in the sector.
“Far too often, officials change their priorities after assuming office, sidelining critical reforms. There needs to be follow-through and long-term vision,” he said.
Salema concluded the debate by calling for partnerships with international investors focused on clean energy and responsible mining. “With the right strategy, Tanzania can not only meet domestic energy needs but also lead Africa’s contribution to the global energy transition,” she said.
As the world pivots toward greener economies, Tanzania’s critical minerals could prove key—not just to its economic transformation, but to a more sustainable and equitable future for all.