Tanzania to host international gemstone Auction in Mirerani amid push for global market expansion

Our Reporter, Tanzania

Tanzania is preparing to host an international gemstone auction in Mirerani, Manyara Region, from May 18 to 21, 2026, as the country intensifies efforts to strengthen its position in the global gemstone trade and increase the value of its mineral exports.

The four-day auction is being organised by the Tanzania Mineral Trading Center (TEC) in collaboration with the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX), bringing together local gemstone traders, exporters, investors, and international buyers in an open competitive market platform.

According to organisers, buyer registration officially opened on May 4, 2026, with both local and foreign participants required to register through Mining Commission offices in Arusha and Mirerani ahead of the auction.

The event will be held at the TEC complex in Mirerani, a globally recognised mining area famous for producing tanzanite — a rare gemstone found only in Tanzania. Industry analysts continue to describe Tanzanite as one of the world’s most valuable and geographically exclusive gemstones.

The auction comes as Tanzania accelerates broader reforms aimed at formalising the gemstone trade, increasing transparency, and capturing greater value from its mineral resources.

Recent government initiatives include the near-completion of the Tanzanite Exchange Centre (TEC) in Mirerani, which authorities say is intended to position Tanzania as a major international gemstone trading hub in Africa.

Officials have also been pushing to reduce smuggling and encourage more local value addition after reports showed Tanzania still trails major foreign processing markets despite being the sole source of Tanzanite globally.

The upcoming auction is expected to attract buyers from multiple international markets amid growing global interest in Tanzanian gemstones, particularly Tanzanite, tourmaline, ruby, and other coloured stones traded across luxury jewellery and collector markets.

Mining sector stakeholders say the auction could help improve price competitiveness for Tanzanian gemstones while creating wider access to international buyers through formal trading systems.

Authorities say the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to transform Mirerani into a globally competitive gemstone trading and investment centre capable of supporting mineral exports, tourism, financial services, and value-added gemstone processing industries.