The PanAfGeo+ Partnerships and Capacity Building Kick-Off meeting concluded today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, marking the successful launch of the 2025–2029 phase of the European Union (EU) funded PanAfGeo+ Programme. The event also marked the official rollout of support under the programme’s four Country Windows – Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia – along with preparatory engagement for three additional Country Windows (Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Namibia). Over two days, more than 80 representatives from African and European geological surveys, governments, international institutions, and civil society gathered to chart a path forward for collaborative geoscientific development.
Hosted by the Geological Survey of Tanzania and co-organised by the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS), EuroGeoSurveys (EGS), and coordinated by the French Geological Survey (BRGM), the event featured dynamic dialogue, strategic presentations, and new initiatives to enhance Africa’s capacity in geoscience and sustainable resource management.
“PanAfGeo+ brings the power of partnerships into focus. The groundwork laid here in Dar es Salaam sets the stage for a more resilient, data-driven, and investment-ready Africa,” said Jean-Claude Guillaneau, PanAfGeo+ Coordinator.
“PanAfGeo+ programme is a remarkable initiative at the forefront of Africa’s geoscientific development. By investing in geological knowledge and capacity, the EU is investing in economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and regional prosperity,” said, Christine Grau, Ambassador of the European Union to Tanzania.
Representing the Minister of Minerals, Hon. Anthony P. Mavunde, Deputy Permanent Secretary Msafiri L. Mbibo highlighted that the event marked a clear step toward a stronger partnership with the EU in developing Tanzania’s critical minerals, a sector he described as central to the country’s sustainable economic future.
Key Outcomes:
- High-Level Endorsement: Senior officials, including representatives from the EU Delegation, African Union Commission, and the Tanzanian Ministry of Minerals, affirmed strong institutional support for PanAfGeo+.
- General Assembly Milestones: Presentations from the eight Work Packages outlined training and cooperation strategies, while “Country Windows” for Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia were officially introduced.
- Strategic Discussions: Panels addressed the critical role of geoscience in Africa’s green and digital transitions, with emphasis on critical raw materials (CRMs), artisanal mining, and geoheritage.
- Management Committee Recommendations: The Advisory Board presented a series of recommendations to guide the programme’s implementation, governance, and future investment pipeline.
With an enhanced focus on institutional partnerships and investment readiness, PanAfGeo+ will also launch its new PanAfGeo+ Invest component later this year to catalyse public-private partnerships for CRM projects across Africa.
“Our unity and commitment are stronger than ever. This phase will empower African Surveys with tools to deliver both knowledge and impact,” said Rokhaya Samba Diene, President of OAGS.
“This is the spirit of PanAfGeo+: collaboration, vision, and action,” added Tirza van Daalen, President of EGS.
As global demand for sustainably sourced raw materials grows, PanAfGeo+ stands as a timely and transformative platform that links geoscience with sustainable development, economic resilience, and intercontinental cooperation.
