About 70 leaders and experts from seven countries met in Dar es Salaam to deliberate on ways to domesticate the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), a pathway developed by African nations that puts the continent’s long-term and broad development objectives at the heart of all policy making concerned with mineral extraction.

Held from 9 – 10 May, 2019, the forum included governmental, private sector, and civil society representatives from Tanzania, Botswana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Lesotho.

The forum was organised by UONGOZI Institute, the Ministry of Minerals and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). During proceedings, the extent to which policies and the regulatory regime in the Tanzania’s mineral sector are aligned with the AMV principles was reviewed. The roadmap and strategy for formulating a Country Mining Vision (CMV) for Tanzania was also discussed.

During his keynote address, Hon. Doto Mashaka Biteko MP, Minister for Minerals, underscored the government’s wish to enhance the competitiveness of the mining sector.

He said, “Tanzania is well endowed with mineral resources which can contribute to socio-economic development of the country. The contribution can be in terms of job creation, inclusive development, the participation of local communities and greater female involvement to ensure their share of the benefits. There is also the inter-linkage of the sector with other sectors of the economy, while increased exports contribute to GDP.”

Minister Biteko highlighted two policy concerns that need to be addressed to fulfil this wish: local content and stakeholders’ capacity to support critical development in the sector.

He went on to note the official percentage growth of mining and quarrying activities (17.5%) as well as mineral exports (14.2%) whilst remaining mindful of the challenges that still exist in the sector. He added that despite such growth figures the sector requires continued transformati0n.

In concluding his address, Minister Biteko stated that in order for Tanzania to successfully domesticate the AMV, commitment from all key actors is required. He conveyed his gratitude to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and African Minerals Development Centre for propagating the AMV. UONGOZI Institute and UNDP were also commended for supporting domestication processes.

On her part, Ms. Natalie Boucly, UNDP Resident Representative a.i., stated that UNDP is committed in collaborating with the Government of Tanzania to strengthen the capacity in governing the extractive sector.

She said, “Since 2014, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and various partners, we have implemented several activities, mainly on creating awareness on the AMV, building capacity in negotiating extractive contracts, and studies to analyse gaps in AMV domestication.”

Ms. Boucly further touched on the Gap Analysis of Africa Mining Vision in Tanzaniastudy which was conducted by UNDP and UONGOZI Institute to analyse AMV integration gaps in the country.

She observed, “The study’s objective was to review the existing legal and policy frameworks related to minerals and hydro-carbon, and propose a realistic roadmap that aligns with the AMV.”

Ms. Boucly further stated that the overall findings of the study show that Tanzania’s performance in implementing the AMV principles is medium, indicating that the country is following the right course to domesticating the AMV.

Ms. Boucly commended the government for undertaking key reforms, some of which are consistent with the AMV principles. She added that findings from the study and outcomes from the forum will contribute to the interventions aimed at supporting the government’s policy work.

In his remarks, Professor Joseph Semboja, UONGOZI Institute’s CEO, shared the Institute’s position in relation to Tanzania implementing the AMV.

“We believe that embracing the AMV principles will maximise the benefits from the extractive sector and boost the country’s economy,” he stated.

He was optimistic that a rich mix of expertise and experience in the room could generate ways forward to assist Tanzania and other African governments working to ensure that the extractive sector contributes to socio-economic transformation.

The AMV aims to shift away from the current and dominant ‘resource-for-development’ model towards one that may bring about the structural transformation of African economies by using mineral resources to catalyse broad-based and inclusive growth and development. Since its adoption, various African countries have made progress in domesticating this initiative by establishing country visions that embrace the aspirations and guidelines of the AMV.