Tanzania Reserves 20 Mining Goods and Services for 100% Tanzanian-Owned Companies: Full List, Implications, and Opportunities (2026 Update)

Introduction

The Government of Tanzania has taken a decisive step to deepen local participation in the mining value chain by officially reserving 20 key mining goods and services exclusively for companies that are 100% owned by Tanzanians.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, on 5 January 2026 in Dodoma, following amendments to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations of 2018. These amendments introduce Regulation 13A, empowering the Minerals Commission to formally designate goods and services that must be supplied solely by indigenous Tanzanian companies.

This policy marks a significant milestone in Tanzania’s local content agenda—shifting mining from an extractive sector to a domestically anchored industrial ecosystem.

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Legal Basis: Amendments to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations, 2018

According to Minister Mavunde, the list follows amendments to the 2018 Mining Local Content Regulations, strengthening ownership requirements for specific mining-related services.

“For the first phase on November 14, 2025, the Minerals Commission announced a list of goods and services to be provided by companies owned by 100% Tanzanian companies, where for the first time the Commission will announce through Regulation 13A,” — Hon. Anthony Mavunde.

These amendments:

• Legally exclude foreign or partially foreign-owned companies from supplying the listed services

• Enhance capital retention within Tanzania

• Accelerate skills transfer and local industrial growth

Official List: 20 Mining Goods and Services Reserved for 100% Tanzanian-Owned Companies

No.	Goods & Services
1	Supply of General Lubricants
2	Supply of Chain Link Fencing, Wire Netting & Barbed Wire
3	Supply of Cement and Building Materials
4	Supply of Metal/PVC Core Trays
5	Supply of Overalls, Work Clothes & PPE
6	Haulage, Logistics & Transportation Services
7	Warehousing, Clearing & Forwarding Services
8	Catering, Camp Management, Cleaning & Laundry
9	Legal Services
10	Supply of Activated Carbon
11	Underground Support Materials (Cable Bolts, Split Sets, Rebars, Mining Mesh)
12	Supply of Explosives & Explosives Accessories
13	Contract Mining for Surface Operations (Drilling, Blasting, Haulage)
14	Vehicle Hire Services
15	Power Rental & Captive Power Supply
16	Crushing, Civil & Construction of Mining Infrastructure
17	Geophysical Ground-Based Surveys, Mapping, Pitting & Trenching
18	Land Valuation & Resettlement
19	Supply of Lining Materials (Liners)
20	Supply of Chemicals & Reagents

Mining Procurement Impact: Strong Growth in Local Participation

The policy is already delivering measurable results.

Mining Procurement Value (Local Companies)

• 2018:

  • TZS 1.85 trillion out of TZS 3.01 trillion (62%)

• 2024:

  • TZS 4.41 trillion out of TZS 5.00 trillion (88%)

This represents a massive shift of mining expenditure into the domestic economy, strengthening Tanzanian suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers.

Employment Impact: Tanzanians Dominating the Workforce

Employment localization has also significantly improved:

• 2018:

  • 6,668 Tanzanians out of 7,003 jobs (95%)

• December 2024:

  • 18,853 Tanzanians out of 19,356 jobs (97%)

The government has reinforced succession mechanisms to ensure Tanzanians progressively replace foreign experts in highly technical roles.

Case Study: North Mara Gold Mine

At North Mara, operated by Twiga Minerals Corporation (Barrick Gold JV):

• All senior management positions are now held by Tanzanians, demonstrating the effectiveness of the localization strategy.

Industrial Expansion: Buzwagi Mining Manufacturing Hub

To support upstream manufacturing, the government has:

• Allocated 1,331 acres at the former Buzwagi Gold Mine

• Built 6 factories

• Received commitments from investors for 15 additional factories

This zone is designed to manufacture mining inputs locally, reducing imports and creating long-term industrial capacity.

What This Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs

Opportunities for Tanzanians

• Guaranteed market access in reserved services

• Reduced competition from foreign firms

• Long-term contracts with mining companies

• Access to mining-linked industrial zones

Compliance Obligations for Investors

• Full adherence to Mining Local Content Regulations

• Transparent ownership structures

• Active skills transfer and succession planning

Strategic Advice for Tanzanian Businesses

To capitalize on this policy:

1. Ensure 100% Tanzanian ownership is legally clean and defensible

2. Obtain relevant mining service licenses from the Minerals Commission

3. Invest in quality standards, safety, and compliance systems

4. Form consortia for capital-intensive services (e.g., contract mining, power rental)

5. Position early for long-term supply agreements

Tanzania’s decision to reserve 20 mining goods and services for indigenous companies represents a structural transformation of the mining sector—from foreign-dominated procurement to locally driven value creation.

With strong legal backing, proven results in procurement and employment, and dedicated industrial zones, the policy creates a rare, time-bound opportunity for Tanzanian entrepreneurs and investors.

How Zatra Assists Investors Under Tanzania’s Mining Local Content Framework

The recent amendments to the Mining (Local Content) Regulations, 2018 (Regulation 13A) have fundamentally changed how investors can participate in Tanzania’s mining supply chain.While the regulations reserve 20 mining goods and services exclusively for 100% Tanzanian-owned companies, they also open structured, compliant pathways for foreign and diaspora investors—when properly advised.

Zatra acts as the structuring, compliance, and execution partner that enables investors to participate legally, profitably, and sustainably.

1. Local Content–Compliant Investment Structuring

Challenge for investors:Foreign or partially foreign-owned companies are prohibited from directly providing the reserved services.

Zatra’s solution:We design legally compliant investment structures that allow investors to benefit without breaching local content rules, including:

• Equity structuring with 100% Tanzanian operating companies

• Shareholder agreements protecting investor returns

• Profit-sharing and dividend models aligned with Tanzanian law

• Management and technical service agreements (where permitted)

• Holding-company and SPV structuring for risk isolation

✔ Ensures compliance with Regulation 13A

✔ Protects capital and exit rights

✔ Prevents nominee or “fronting” risks

2. Identification & Vetting of Eligible Tanzanian Partners

Problem: Many investors struggle to identify credible, truly Tanzanian-owned operators.

Zatra provides:

• Due diligence on ownership, directors, and beneficial owners

• Verification against Minerals Commission and BRELA records

• Financial and operational capability assessment

• Background checks and conflict-risk screening

✔ Prevents regulatory rejection

✔ Avoids reputational and legal exposure

✔ Ensures long-term operational stability

3. End-to-End Licensing & Regulatory Compliance

Zatra handles full regulatory onboarding, including:

• Company registration & restructuring

• Mining service licenses

• Local content plans and filings

• AML/KYC compliance frameworks

• Environmental and sector-specific permits

• Ongoing Minerals Commission reporting

✔ Zero-guesswork compliance

✔ Faster approvals

✔ Reduced enforcement risk

4. Project Development in Reserved Mining Services

Zatra helps investors build or scale businesses within the 20 reserved categories, including:

• Mining logistics & haulage companies

• PPE, chemicals, and consumables supply firms

• Catering, camp management, and facility services

• Civil works, crushing, and mining infrastructure services

• Geophysical surveys and exploration support services

We provide:

• Bankable business plans and financial models

• CAPEX & OPEX optimization

• Contracting strategies with mining companies

• Risk and return analysis

✔ Investor-ready projects

✔ Clear ROI pathways

✔ Bank and financier acceptance

5. Access to Mining Procurement & Off-Take Opportunities

Zatra actively supports:

• Market entry into active mining procurement pipelines

• Positioning suppliers for long-term supply contracts

• Alignment with mining companies’ local content obligations

• Negotiation of commercial terms and SLAs

✔ Demand-driven investments

✔ Reduced market-entry risk

✔ Predictable cash flows

6. Manufacturing & Industrial Zone Advisory (Buzwagi Hub)

With the government allocating 1,331 acres at the former Buzwagi mine for mining-related manufacturing:

Zatra assists investors to:

• Establish factories supplying mining inputs

• Navigate industrial incentives and approvals

• Structure joint ventures with Tanzanian manufacturers

• Align projects with national industrialization goals

✔ Strategic positioning for policy support

✔ Import substitution advantage

✔ Long-term scalability

7. Governance, Succession & Localization Strategy

Zatra ensures:

• Tanzanian succession planning (as required by law)

• Skills transfer frameworks

• Governance policies aligned with best practice

• Board, management, and reporting structures investors trust

✔ Regulatory goodwill

✔ Sustainable operations

✔ Reduced dependency risk

8. Investor Protection & Risk Management

We implement:

• Strong shareholder and exit clauses

• Performance-based profit distribution

• Dispute-resolution mechanisms

• Compliance audits and periodic reviews

✔ Capital protection

✔ Clear exit pathways

✔ Long-term value preservation

Why Investors Choose Zatra

Zatra is not a broker or middleman.We are investment architects specializing in:

• Mining regulation & local content law

• Investment structuring in regulated sectors

• Government interface & compliance execution

• High-value, high-risk sectors (mining, minerals, infrastructure)

Result:Investors participate legally, securely, and profitably—without regulatory exposure.

Final Thought

Tanzania’s local content regime is not a barrier—it is a filter.Investors who understand the rules and structure correctly will dominate the mining supply chain. Zatra ensures you are on the right side of the law—and the right side of opportunity.