By Business Insider Reporter, Dodoma
Tanzania and the United States are positioning themselves for mutual economic and strategic gains following high-level talks on a proposed graphite exploration partnership that could unlock new investment, strengthen critical mineral supply chains and accelerate Tanzania’s mining-led industrial growth.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Minister for Minerals, Antony Mavunde, held discussions with US Chargé d’Affaires, Andrew Lentz, on a collaboration involving the US Department of State’s Energy and Mineral Governance Program, Tanzania’s state-owned State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) and the Geological Survey of Tanzania (GST).
The proposed partnership will focus on joint graphite exploration, aimed at generating high-quality geological data capable of attracting large-scale private investment into Tanzania’s mining sector.
“There are licences owned by STAMICO, and under these we will conduct joint exploration with our counterparts through the U.S. Department of Minerals to identify areas that can attract major investment,” Mavunde said.
Unlocking value for Tanzania
For Tanzania, the initiative supports a broader strategy to move beyond raw mineral exports by strengthening exploration, de-risking projects for investors and laying the groundwork for new large-scale mines, particularly in the graphite-rich regions of Mtwara and Lindi.
The government expects that deeper exploration will not only confirm commercially viable deposits but also stimulate downstream industries, infrastructure development and employment.
The talks align with Tanzania’s ambitious goal to expand high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys to cover 50 percent of the country by 2030, up from the current 16 percent. Enhanced geological mapping is seen as critical to unlocking the country’s mineral potential and improving transparency for investors.
China has already dispatched experts to assess Tanzania’s technical needs for the surveys, underscoring growing global interest in the country’s resource base. The United States’ involvement signals Tanzania’s intention to diversify partnerships and technology sources.
Strategic gains for the United States
For the United States, the partnership offers an opportunity to diversify global supply chains for critical minerals, particularly graphite, which is essential for batteries, electric vehicles, defence technologies and renewable energy systems.
Graphite is classified by NATO as a strategic raw material, and Western economies are increasingly seeking alternatives to China, which currently dominates global production and processing. China’s recent export controls on critical minerals have further heightened the urgency to secure new, reliable suppliers.
East Africa – especially Tanzania – has emerged as a promising alternative source, offering geological potential and proximity to global shipping routes.
“We will continue to look for clear examples of Tanzania’s commitment to real partnership with the United States as we work together to diversify the global critical minerals supply chain,” said Chargé d’Affaires Andrew Lentz.
Strengthening commercial and investment ties
Beyond geology, the collaboration is expected to improve governance standards, regulatory transparency and technical capacity, factors that are essential for attracting US and international mining investors.
The engagement comes as Washington reviews its broader bilateral relationship with Tanzania. From a business perspective, the graphite initiative provides a practical pathway for rebuilding investor confidence and demonstrating shared economic interests despite broader diplomatic complexities.
Tanzania has also stepped up engagement with US policymakers and commercial actors, including contracting a Washington-based lobbying firm to help position the country’s critical minerals and rare earths potential as a cornerstone of economic cooperation.
A deal anchored in global trends
Analysts note that the partnership reflects a growing trend in which resource-rich developing countries leverage critical minerals to attract technology, capital and geopolitical relevance, while advanced economies seek supply security to support the global energy transition.
If successfully implemented, the Tanzania–US graphite collaboration could result in new mines, increased foreign direct investment, job creation and export revenues for Tanzania, while providing the United States with a more resilient and diversified source of a mineral vital to its clean energy and defence industries. As both countries navigate shifting global supply chains and energy priorities, graphite may prove to be a cornerstone of a renewed, commercially grounded partnership.
