This is a guest blog authored by Alpha Ntayomba, Executive Director at Population and Development Initiative (PDI) Tanzania. Alpha is one of the ten (10) winners of the 2026 community voices video competition hosted by The Impact Facility, in partnership with Mining Indaba that invited community members, representatives of indigenous peoples in mining areas, civil society organisations, activists and visionaries to reflect on the MI26 theme, “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnership,” and how it relates to their lived experiences.

Alpha attended the Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9 – 12 February, and this blog summarises their experience at the conference.  More information about the competition is available here.

In February 2026, the city of Cape Town became a global meeting point for governments, investors, mining companies, and community leaders gathered for the Investing in African Mining Indaba (MI26). For me, attending this influential platform for the first time was more than participation in a conference—it was a moment of learning, reflection, and renewed commitment to the future of responsible mining in Tanzania and across Africa.

The Mining Indaba 2026 carried a powerful theme: “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnership.” The message was clear—Africa’s mining sector can only succeed when communities, governments, and industry actors work together to ensure that mineral wealth translates into inclusive development.

I had the honor of attending the event as one of the Community Voices Video Competition winners, a platform created by The Impact Facility to bring grassroots perspectives directly into global mining discussions. Through this initiative, community leaders and representatives from across Africa were given the opportunity to speak alongside investors, policymakers, and industry leaders about the realities and aspirations of mining-affected communities.

At MI26, I was privileged to serve as one of the panelists in the session titled “Stronger Together in Practice: Building Meaningful Partnerships in Critical Mineral Communities.” The discussion explored how governments, companies, and communities can move beyond rhetoric and build practical partnerships that create sustainable value on the ground. 

During the discussion, I emphasised that the future of responsible mining in Africa depends on trust, transparency, and the recognition of communities as equal partners in the mining value chain. Communities may not always possess the technical knowledge of engineers or investors, but they hold invaluable knowledge about their land, water, and social realities. When these perspectives are respected, mining projects become more resilient and sustainable.

For Tanzania, the lessons from Mining Indaba are both urgent and inspiring. The mining sector now contributes over 10 percent of Tanzania’s GDP, demonstrating its growing importance to the national economy. 

 However, economic growth alone is not enough. We must ensure that mining development also improves the socioeconomic well-being of local communities, protects the environment, and respects human rights.

In my remarks, I encouraged mining companies operating in Tanzania and across Africa to embrace community data and knowledge, strengthen Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and adopt internationally recognized responsible mining standards. These approaches can help companies better understand the social and environmental realities surrounding mining projects and design solutions that truly benefit communities.

Responsible mining must address the full spectrum of impacts—economic opportunities, environmental protection, social inclusion, and human rights. When companies invest in these dimensions, they build long-term trust and create shared prosperity.

One of the most important opportunities for Tanzania lies in strengthening cooperation between Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) communities and Large-Scale Mining (LSM) companies. Across Africa, artisanal miners support millions of livelihoods, yet they often operate without sufficient support, technology, or formal recognition. I therefore encouraged stronger partnerships between ASM communities and large mining companies in a spirit of goodwill and mutual understanding.

Through collaboration—such as knowledge sharing, improved safety practices, responsible supply chains, and inclusive investment models—both sectors can coexist and contribute to national development while ensuring that mineral wealth is shared more equitably.

As I returned from Cape Town, I carried with me not only insights from global discussions but also a renewed sense of purpose. Mining Indaba 2026 demonstrated that the future of Africa’s mining sector is not only about minerals—it is about people, partnerships, and progress. When communities are heard, when companies operate responsibly, and when governments foster inclusive policies, Africa’s mineral resources can become a true engine of sustainable development.

For Tanzania, the opportunity is clear: to build a mining sector that is inclusive, responsible, and rooted in partnership—because when we work stronger together, the benefits of our natural wealth can reach every community. I remain committed as a community champion and ready to adapt the lessons and the dream of The Impact Facility to advance the voices of the affected mining communities to the world.