Tanzania Directs 10% of Mineral Revenues to Exploration and Research

What changed

Tanzania is tightening management of its mining sector as it begins implementing Development Vision 2050. Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba gave the directive on 3 October 2026 in Geita, while the government confirmed a legal change requiring 10% of mineral revenues to fund exploration and research.

The policy package also includes:

• Exploration has reached 16%, according to Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde.
• Small-scale miners are being trained in science and technology.
• Officials want more mineral processing inside Tanzania.
• Geita Gold Mining Limited says it will support sector development and skills training.

Why it matters

Tanzania is trying to move beyond digging minerals out of the ground and selling them in that form. More exploration could expand what is known about the country’s mineral base. More processing would keep a larger share of the value chain inside Tanzania, while training could help small-scale miners use modern methods instead of superstition.

The 10% allocation is the clearest practical change. It gives exploration and research a defined claim on mineral revenues, rather than leaving those activities entirely to shifting priorities. But the outlook remains informed speculation: the policy could strengthen the sector if the money is released and enforced as intended.

The government has not yet set out the amendment’s implementation timetable, funding base or enforcement mechanism. The next meaningful test is whether the new rule produces visible exploration, processing and training activity rather than remaining a statement of direction.