Tanzania has transitioned into a key regional center for the importation of chemicals vital to mineral extraction and processing. Government sources report that improved infrastructure at the Tanga and Dar es Salaam ports has driven this transformation.
According to the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA), imports of ammonium nitrate, essential for mining operations, surged by 241 percent, from 135,445 tonnes in 2021/22 to approximately 460,000 tonnes by June 2025. More than 80 percent of these imports are now channeled through Tanga Port, underscoring the port’s growing strategic importance.
In addition, sulphur imports, used heavily in copper mining, rose by 370 percent, from 397,000 tonnes to nearly 1.9 million tonnes in the same period. Sodium cyanide, critical for gold extraction, saw a 52 percent increase, climbing to over 63,000 tonnes via Dar es Salaam Port. 
GCLA Chief Chemist Dr Fidelice Mafumiko credited enhanced port facilities and new trade agreements for driving the chemical import boom. He also highlighted increased compliance with chemical management regulations, spurred by public awareness initiatives.
Daniel Ndiyo, GCLA Director of Regulatory Services, emphasized the economic benefits: the rise in chemical imports has created jobs for truck drivers, empowered port operations, and bolstered tax revenues.
GCLA reports a 40 percent increase in import permits, rising from 40,000 in 2020/21 to over 67,000 in 2024/25. Sample testing at GCLA laboratories has also climbed by 21 percent, reflecting improved service delivery and inter-agency cooperation.
Dr Mafumiko noted ongoing investment in modern laboratories, digital systems, and staff training as vital to meeting evolving regulatory requirements and ensuring public safety.
Tanzania’s success reinforces its position as a vital economic gateway for neighboring nations, including Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Analysts predict that with continued investment in infrastructure and regulatory capacity, the country could further increase its chemical trade volumes and solidify its regional leadership.
As Tanzania advances its ambition to become a key logistics and industrial hub, the evolving chemical import industry will likely play a central role in its economic development and regional integration.
