Dodoma – The Mining Commission of Tanzania has unveiled a broad range of opportunities for the nation’s youth in the 2026/2027 financial year, signalling a determined effort by the government to foster a more inclusive and youth-driven mining industry. 

The announcement, made in Dodoma on March 16, 2026, outlines a multi-pronged strategy that includes the allocation of new mining areas, enhanced access to financing, and targeted training programmes.

Speaking on behalf of the Mining Commission’s Executive Secretary, the Director of Mine Inspection and Environment, Engineer Hamisi Kamando, detailed the government’s plans to empower young Tanzanians to actively participate in mineral extraction, trade, and investment. 

He emphasised that the commission is committed to creating an enabling environment that will not only attract young entrepreneurs but also provide them with the necessary support to succeed in the sector.

A key component of this initiative is the “Mining for Better Tomorrow” (MBT) reform project, which has already demonstrated significant success. 

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Between July and December 2025, for instance, the project facilitated the issuance of 273 mining licences to 183 youth groups across various regions, including Mara, Kagera, Shinyanga, Morogoro, Dodoma, and Njombe. 

These groups are engaged in the extraction of a diverse range of minerals, from gold and copper to gemstones and salt, and have collectively created 2,550 direct jobs for young people.

In a further move to support small-scale miners, the government issued 5,983 small-scale mining licences during the same period, representing 71 per cent of all licences granted. 

These licences are exclusively reserved for Tanzanian citizens, with the majority of applicants being young people between the ages of 18 and 45. This deliberate policy is designed to ensure that the benefits of the country’s mineral wealth are shared more equitably among its citizens.

Recognising that access to capital is a major hurdle for many aspiring young miners, the Mining Commission has forged a strategic partnership with CRDB Bank. 

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This collaboration, formalised through a cooperation agreement signed on February 23, 2026, will provide small-scale gold miners, particularly the youth, with access to much-needed financing to invest in their operations and expand their businesses.

The government’s commitment to local content development is another key pillar of its strategy. Between July and December 2025, mining companies in Tanzania procured goods and services worth a staggering Sh3.8 trillion from local companies. 

This was made possible by the government’s policy of reserving 20 categories of goods and services exclusively for companies that are 100 per cent Tanzanian-owned, a move that has created significant opportunities for local businesses, including those owned and operated by young people.

To further enhance the value of its mineral resources, the government is also promoting local processing and refining. There are currently seven mineral processing and refining factories operating in the country, which have created 273 jobs, many of them for young people. 

Between July and December 2025 alone, minerals worth Sh5.802 trillion were processed locally before being exported.

READ MORE:Tanzania’s Gold Rush: Foreign Enablers and the Plight of Local Miners 

The Mining Commission is also working closely with the Geological Survey of Tanzania and the State Mining Corporation to simplify access to geological information and to equip young people with the skills to use modern technology in mineral exploration and mining. 

Furthermore, the commission has proposed the allocation of 65 special mining areas for small-scale miners in various regions across the country, a move that is expected to create even more opportunities for youth to participate in the sector.

Kamando said the comprehensive initiatives underscore the government’s unwavering commitment to harnessing the potential of Tanzanian youth and the country’s mineral resources to drive economic growth and create a more prosperous future for all Tanzanians. 

The government has also been seeking international investment to further develop the sector.