The Region

This report focuses on the developing mining industry in the East African countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, which form the regional intergovernmental body known as the East African Community (EAC). Also included in the report are neighbouring countries, Ethiopia and Eritrea which have promising mining sectors. The region has abundant natural resources, many still unexploited, including gold, copper, uranium, coal, iron, diamonds, tin and gemstones. Despite the potential mineral wealth of the region, the mining sector is underdeveloped. Ethiopia, for example, has natural reserves of copper, gold, potash, platinum, natural gas, and the ability to harness hydropower, but the country’s mineral industry accounts for less than 1% of its GDP.

Encouraging Investment

The governments of the seven profiled countries realise the importance of attracting investment into the mining sector. In Kenya for example, the government’s strategy of encouraging investment in the discovery and extraction of natural gas, oil and minerals is likely to result in foreign direct investment into the mining sector of US$644m during 2015. The regional governments are also aware that a stable and fair regulatory environment is essential for increased investment in the sector. As a result, amendments to mining acts, including incentives and preferential duties, have been effected. Uganda is one such example, where taxes on the country’s emerging oil, gas, and mining exploration industries were abolished in April 2015.

Report Coverage

The report on the East African Mining Sector focuses on the latest developments in all seven countries and discusses the factors influencing the success of mining in the region. The report also profiles 11 significant stakeholders active in the sector, including ThyssenKrupp, a diversified industrial group which is working in Burundi with Rainbow Rare Earth Ltd, and Acacia Mining, the leading gold producer in Tanzania which has produced almost 8 million ounces of gold from open pit and underground mines over the last decade.