Mining powered by technology, digital skills, and local value addition can become an important new frontier for Kenya’s economic transformation, according John Tanui, principal secretary in the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy.
The strategy aims to accelerate mineral exploration, geological mapping, data management, traceability, and connectivity across the value chain while attracting commercial investment, Tanui said following a meeting with Joseph Kitilit, Chief Executive Officer of the National Mining Corporation (NMC).
The initiative aligns with previous ITWeb Africa reporting on Kenya’s digitisation of state land registries and natural resource mapping, where the government has leveraged spatial data platforms and digital licensing portals to streamline investor approvals and reduce illegal mining claims.
Kenya must move beyond raw extraction towards mineral processing, value addition, and local manufacturing to retain economic value and expand exports, Tanui noted.
The sector presents significant career opportunities for youth, particularly engineers, geologists, scientists, technicians, and technology professionals, he added.
NMC operates as the official state investment body tasked with driving commercial investment, mineral exploration, and resource development across the country.
While Kenya has long-established industrial mineral operations such as soda ash, its metallic and rare-earth potential has historically been overshadowed by agriculture and services.
However, recent exploration efforts have uncovered high-value gold reserves and rare-earth element potential, focusing on green-transition and technology metals including copper, nickel, lithium, and coltan.
The mining sector currently contributes between 0.7 percent and 1 percent to Kenya’s gross domestic product, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, with digital mapping expected to expand this share, Tanui said.
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