THE construction and building sectors have played a significant role in accelerating the country’s economy through revenues and creation of jobs during the first tenure of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Addressing stakeholders from the construction and building sectors at the East Africa Building and Construction Awards 2025 held on Thursday in Dar es Salaam conferred by the Chamber of Construction and Infrastructure of Tanzania (CCIT) Minerals Deputy Minister Dr Steven Kiruswa said the government has during the first term of President Samia dedicated enough resources and accommodative policies in ensuring that the construction and building sectors attracts remarkable impact to the nation’s economic development.

“The construction minerals sector which includes gravel, sand and stone has continued to grow by generating employment opportunities for the youth. It has helped in the growth of the use of these minerals in industrial activities to produce tiles, gypsum and glasses among other construction materials,” said Dr Kiruswa.

He asserted that during the financial year 2024/25 industrial and construction minerals worth over 1trn/- were sold to consumers in various markets of the country.

“These awards are important in recognizing the contribution of all stakeholders in the construction and building sectors in creating jobs and in government revenue collection. These awards are meant to motivate stakeholders to do better in these sectors by stimulating competitive business beyond the East Africa region,” said Dr Kiruswa.

Dr Kiruswa said since the past four years the country’s mining sector has experienced growth in survey targeting graphite, Lithium, Nickel, Niobium, Cobalt and Rare earth elements due to the government's willingness to dedicate initiatives.

According to him, the government is certain to see that critical minerals present a transformative opportunity to drive a sustainable economic growth to Tanzania while contributing realizations to the global clean energy transition.

He said Tanzania is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in the global shift away from fossil fuel due to its reach in key critical minerals.

Pamela Shoo, CCIT Board Chairperson basked in the level of technology adopted by construction and building companies in the East African region.

“The Chamber through these awards further targets at recognizing and valuing the contribution of forgotten players in the construction sector such as small-scale cement block manufacturers,” said Shoo.

Steven Mkomwa, CCIT Director General this year’s awards involved over 400 participants and 50 awards were given during the fourth awards gala. He said the winners are obtained through a voting process by various stakeholders in the construction and building sectors.

The government had in June this year entered into a partnership with the European Union (EU) to enhance Tanzania’s critical minerals for sustainable clean energy transition and economic development in the wake of climate change threats.

Through the 2025–2029 PanAfGeo+ Programme funded by the European Union it targets at enhancing Africa’s geoscientific capacity and deepening cross-continental collaboration in the sustainable management of mineral and geoscience resources.

The government has started conducting high resolution geophysical airborne surveys across the country among other efforts with a target of boosting the current 16 percent to achieve at least 50 percent of the total country’s critical minerals surveyed area by 2030.

These efforts will enhance geological data which will allow accuracy in assessment of the minerals potential that will contribute to reducing exploration risks and guide investment decisions facilitating sustainable resource development.

A successful geological mapping will support government and private sector efforts to prioritize exploration zones, improve land use planning and attract foreign direct investments.

In that regard, the European Union through the PanAfGeo+ fits in as an appropriate partner to enhance Tanzania’s geoscience through capacity building of professionals in the geological area through GST.

This initiative will help in developing a comprehensive and up-to-date geoscientific database critical for identifying and accessing mineral resources that will enhance transparency and therefore reduce risks for investment.