Tanzania could be edging closer to becoming a significant player in Africa’s growing critical minerals industry following the discovery of rare earth element deposits in the country’s southern highlands. The newly identified deposits, located in Mkiu Village within the Ludewa District of the Njombe Region, contain Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr) two highly sought-after strategic metals crucial for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, defense systems, and renewable energy technologies.
The find stands to bolster Tanzania’s strategic importance at a time when global superpowers and multinational corporations are fiercely competing to secure the long-term supply chains vital to the clean energy transition. While the East African nation is not yet ranked among the continent’s leading rare earth producers, the discovery adds momentum to its broader push into critical minerals, complementing existing domestic deposits of graphite, nickel, gold, and natural gas.
China is already moving swiftly to anchor its presence in the new development. Exploration is being conducted through a partnership between the Tanzanian government and Chinese firm Hongji Mining Co. Ltd, underlining Beijing’s deepening role in Africa’s strategic minerals sector. China currently dominates the global rare earth supply chain, controlling the vast majority of the processing and refining capacity used in advanced manufacturing worldwide. Chinese firms have increasingly expanded their footprint across Africa as Western nations scramble to diversify their sourcing.
Historically, Africa’s rare earth landscape has been dominated by South Africa, home to some of the continent’s most established projects, and Madagascar, which hosts globally recognized ionic clay and mineral sands deposits. Burundi and Malawi have also drawn substantial international investment due to major exploration activities. However, Tanzania’s latest discovery could position the country as an emerging challenger in the region, provided commercial viability and large-scale extraction are confirmed.
According to Resident Mining Officer Engineer Lucas Mlekwa, the strategic deposits were identified during ongoing exploration activities in the Njombe region. Tanzanian authorities are currently evaluating the total size and economic potential of the deposits ahead of potential large-scale investment and eventual export development.
