Service providers in Tanzania’s mining sector have come together to form a new alliance designed to enhance information sharing and increase the participation of local stakeholders in the industry.

The alliance, named Tamisa—an acronym derived from the Swahili term for "Mining Sector Service Providers"—is scheduled to be officially launched tomorow by the Minister of Minerals, Antony Mavunde.

Speaking at a press briefing, Dr Sebastian Ndege, Chairperson of Tamisa’s Marketing and Communications Committee, said the launch will be accompanied by a stakeholder forum aimed at exploring the role of Tanzanians in providing services within the mining sector.

“Tanzanians have every reason to be involved in the mining sector. We want to simplify access to information so that opportunities can be easily identified and seized by the right people,” said Dr Ndege.

He underscored Tamisa’s value as a platform for empowerment, noting that information is a key enabler in helping individuals make informed decisions.

Dr Ndege further emphasised that the alliance will help ensure only qualified, skilled service providers are engaged in the sector—moving away from reliance on unqualified individuals who may lack the necessary expertise.

“This initiative will also benefit students in various institutions by creating opportunities for them to apply what they’ve studied in real-world contexts after graduation,” he added.

Tanzania’s local content framework in the mining sector was formalised through amendments passed in 2017. Parliament enacted the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 7 of 2017, which revised the 2010 Mining Act to introduce requirements for increased Tanzanian participation in mining activities.

As a result, there has been a marked increase in Tanzanian employment within the sector, particularly in service-related fields such as transportation, security, and engineering. Several local companies have also expanded by securing procurement contracts in mining operations.

Andrew Kumalila, Chairperson of Tamisa, said the alliance was established to create a unified voice for service providers and to support their meaningful contribution to Tanzania’s mining economy.

He highlighted that more than 3.1trn/- is spent annually on mining-related procurement, and Tamisa aims to ensure a larger share of this expenditure benefits local businesses.

“Rather than continuing to complain about foreign players like the Chinese taking our opportunities, we should focus on how to collectively seize these chances,” said Kumalila. “We can go even further by establishing local industries that add value to our minerals before export.”