Africa-Press – Tanzania. TWIGA Minerals’ North Mara Mine has empowered 13 youth groups with 220m/- through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), fostering economic projects across eleven surrounding villages. The grant has already been disbursed, according to the Tarime District Council, directly benefiting about 100 youth through nonrepayable capital, strengthening local economic resilience.
Tarime District Council Head of the Community Development Department, Anthony Nyange, told reporters recently that collaboration between the private sector and local government was yielding tangible results for Tarime residents.
“Most beneficiaries have focused on projects that are not only income-generating activities, but are also specifically aimed at addressing existing social and environmental challenges,” said Mr Nyange.
The projects selected for funding are diverse, ranging from modern agriculture to essential service provision. Nyange explained that the youth had been particularly savvy in identifying market gaps within their own communities.
He said the dual-purpose approach ensures that as the youth prosper, the entire village infrastructure improves. Last year, the mine supported government initiatives by providing mining licences. It issued its own licenses and funded training for more than 1,700 youths preparing to enter the mining sector under the Mining for a Brighter Tomorrow (MBT) programme.
The programme aims to improve safety, increase productivity and reduce illegal mining by officially allocating mining areas to them.
Among the prominent beneficiary groups are Mokarambe Agribusiness, Hope and Revolution of Economy for Youth, Tunza Mazingira Nyamongo, Amshana Nyamongo and REMHOCHI. Other vital participants include Kazi ni Moyo, Konna Nne, Kiumanya, Ibuka Umoja, Tunaweza Kerende, Nyasa Group, Mtazamo Youth and the Keryoba Group.
A standout success story involves environmental sanitation projects initiated in Nyamongo. For years, the small town struggled with waste management and cleanliness. However, thanks to the CSR-funded environmental groups, Nyamongo has seen a dramatic improvement in its public space.
Moreover, the programme works in tandem with the government’s internal policy of directing 10 per cent of council revenue towards loans for women, the youth and people with disabilities. Currently, Tarime leads Mara Region in the disbursement of statutory loans, creating a powerful synergy with Barrick’s private investment.
