Tanzania’s mining sector has seen a significant boost, now contributing 10.1% to the national GDP, up from 9.1% in 2023, the government has announced.

The figures, revealed Tuesday by Minister of Minerals Anthony Mavunde in the capital Dodoma, are being hailed as a reflection of deeper systemic and legal reforms under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, now in its fourth year.

“This is not a small achievement,” Mavunde said, crediting increased transparency, better revenue collection, and tighter controls on mineral smuggling as key drivers of the growth.

The government has introduced regional auctions for gemstones, established official markets and buying centers for minerals across the country, and begun gold purchases through the Bank of Tanzania in a bid to formalize and stabilize the sector.

Officials say the growth is not just economic — it’s also social. “This increase is clear evidence that the mining sector is not only a catalyst for economic growth, but also a key source of foreign exchange, employment, and social development,” Mavunde added.

Mining is a major source of income for many communities in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas where artisanal mining supports thousands of families. The recent reforms, the government says, aim to balance economic growth with local benefit — though challenges around enforcement and equitable distribution of resources persist.