Tanzania is set to become a major player in global uranium production with the revival of the US$1 billion Mkuju River uranium project, marking a significant step toward nuclear energy development and economic transformation.
Located in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region, the Mkuju River project, developed by Mantra Tanzania Limited, a subsidiary of Russia’s Uranium One Group under Rosatom, was dormant for over a decade following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Renewed global demand for clean energy has reignited its potential, with the deposit estimated to hold 139 million tonnes of uranium ore and a projected annual production of around 3,000 tonnes. This output could place Tanzania as the third-largest uranium producer in Africa.
On 30 July 2025, President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurated a pilot uranium processing plant at the site, calling the occasion historic. “Tanzania officially begins its journey to becoming a major uranium producer for the first time on this scale,” she said, emphasizing uranium’s role in generating safe energy and enhancing Tanzania’s position in the global mining sector.
Majani Moremi, Sustainability Manager at Mantra Tanzania, highlighted the project’s phased financing and long-term strategic importance. Deputy Minister for Minerals Steven Kiruswa also assured investors of the project’s national significance and the economic opportunities it promises.
At the 2026 St Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Hassan named nuclear energy among Tanzania’s top five investment priorities, noting a rise in foreign direct investment from US$3 billion in 2021 to about US$5 billion in 2025. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized Tanzania’s growing strategic importance in East Africa, likening it to Uzbekistan’s role in Central Asia.
Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde described the Mkuju project as a flagship investment for Tanzania’s economy, with preparatory stages already completed and major developments expected soon.
The project is expected to create over 4,000 direct jobs and more than 100,000 indirect jobs in sectors like construction and logistics. Local communities, including an estimated 21,000 households, will benefit, with a focus on building local technical expertise and sustainable economic growth.
Tanzania is also preparing for nuclear-generated electricity following the International Atomic Energy Agency’s roadmap. Uranium will initially be exported to Russia for reprocessing before the nuclear fuel is returned to Tanzania for power generation, ensuring adherence to international safety standards.
President Hassan declared at the plant inauguration: “Tanzania is entering the global map as one of the top 10 uranium-producing countries in the world.” This project represents a bold ambition to drive industrialization, create jobs, and build a future powered by clean, sustainable energy for Tanzania and its people.
