Rising global demand for critical minerals – projected to quadruple by 2040 – has spurred several major investments in 2025. Australian miner Volt Resources partnered with investment firm Unbounded Opportunities Fund SPC for up to $11.1 million in equity financing to accelerate the Bunyu Graphite Mine and Processing Facility. Once operational, the $37 million project is expected to produce 40,000 tons of graphite per year, reinforcing Tanzania’s role as a supplier of battery-grade materials for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.

Meanwhile, UK-based Lifezone Metals raised $75 million in H2 2025 to fund grid upgrades, railway infrastructure and drilling at its Kabanga high-grade nickel project. Kabanga, one of the world’s largest and highest-grade development-ready nickel sulphide deposits, positions Tanzania as a key supplier of nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum-group metals – essential for automotive catalytic converters and clean energy technologies.

Established producers also helped sustain momentum. Barrick Gold invested $558 million in the first half of 2025, supporting mine expansion at Bulyanhulu, energy initiatives like battery storage at North Mara, and additional drilling at the Gokona and Gena deposits. These moves underscore the continued confidence of global operators in Tanzania’s mining potential.

Investment is also flowing into mineral transportation and logistics infrastructure. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) announced a $1.4 billion, multi-phase investment to revitalize the Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority network under a 30-year concession, including 32 new locomotives and 762 freight wagons, enhancing mineral transport to international markets. In parallel, Tanzania signed a $2.15 billion rail agreement with Burundi and China Railway Engineering Group to develop a new railway line connecting western mining regions to the port of Dar es Salaam. Zijin Mining also secured a concession to invest in and manage Kigoma Port and the Malindi Terminal, further strengthening export infrastructure.

Looking ahead, several large-scale projects are expected to reach final investment decisions in 2026, including EcoGraf’s Tanzania Graphite Project, while regional logistics initiatives like the proposed Lobito Corridor extension could further accelerate mineral exports. These developments signal growing opportunities for global investors to participate across mining production, processing and transport infrastructure.

Taken together, Tanzania’s surge in mining investments illustrates how resource-rich African markets are evolving from exploration-heavy landscapes into investment-ready economies. The combination of high-grade mineral projects, committed international capital and parallel infrastructure development creates a pipeline of bankable opportunities for financiers, service providers and downstream manufacturers.

With global demand for battery and critical minerals set to soar, Tanzania’s ability to secure multi-billion-dollar projects while expanding transport and processing capacity positions the country as a strategic hub for investors seeking both immediate returns and long-term exposure to Africa’s growing role in the global energy transition. These dynamics make Tanzania a compelling case study for the discussions and deal-making expected at African Mining Week where capital, policy and operational strategy converge to shape the continent’s next investment cycle.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference from October 12-16 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.