Dar Launches PanAfGeo+ to boost Africa’s mineral sector

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Pan African Geology Programme (PanAfGeo+) for the 2025–2029 period has been officially launched today, June 24, 2025, in Dar es Salaam with the aim to enhance the capacity of African countries in the field of geology.

The four-year programme, funded by the European Union(EU), also aims to enhance the country’s capacity in the sustainable management of mineral resources, in addition to geology.

The launch event has been organised in collaboration with the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS), EuroGeo Surveys (EGS), and the French Geological Survey (BRGM).

The programme involves over 100 participants from geological institutions, various governments, and regional and international organisations.

The two-day conference was officially opened by high-level representatives from the European Union, the African Union Commission, the Government of Tanzania, as well as delegates from EuroGeo Surveys and OAGS. This launch marks the beginning of a new strategic phase aimed at supporting Africa’s sustainable development through geological knowledge.

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Since its inception in 2016, PanAfGeo+ has successfully trained more than 1,750 experts from 54 African countries. In this new phase, the programme will place greater emphasis on hands-on training and strengthen cooperation between institutions across and beyond the continent.

Expert discussions during the event have addressed key topics such as intercontinental collaboration, enhancement of geological skills, and the role of the sector in Africa’s economic and social development. Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia have presented new national partnership projects in the field of geology.

Overall, the launch provides a vital platform for knowledge exchange and strengthening collaboration aimed at leveraging geological resources for inclusive and sustainable development across Africa.