By Racheal Nagawa
Rwanda is emerging as a rising hub for critical and technology-related minerals as the government reports surging investor interest in its latest mining initiatives. According to the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), the 10 mining blocks unveiled in mid-2025 received at least 73 applications from local and international firms, highlighting the growing competition in the country’s mineral sector.
The awarded areas include Nduba, Rweru-Kimvubu, Juru, Mamfu-Rwasama, Remera, Rugarama, and Rweru. Encouraged by the strong response, the government has now opened an additional 10 mining blocks for investor field visits from February 16 to 20, 2026. Applications for these new opportunities close on March 3, 2026. Officials expect interest to double compared to the previous round, particularly for lithium, tantalum, and gemstone-rich sites.
New blocks, new opportunities
Alice Uwase, CEO of RMB, emphasized the strategic importance of the latest set of mining blocks. “From our previous experience a few months ago, competition was intense: we received 73 applications for 10 blocks. We hope to double that number this time,” she said.
The new blocks include four previously explored sites considered among the most promising for minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten—commonly referred to as 3Ts—alongside beryllium and lithium. Four blocks are designated for fresh exploration targeting similar minerals, while two blocks are dedicated to gemstone deposits such as sapphires.
The newly opened blocks are Bihembe, Rubiha, Musenyi, Nyamyumba-Kivumu, Shyorongi, Binyeri, Kanama, Minazi, Bushekeri-Rangiro, and Kabagari-Kinihira. RMB is encouraging investors to consider joint ventures to strengthen compliance and technical capacity, noting that expertise and on-the-ground capability are critical factors in evaluation.
“Finances alone are not enough. You may have the capital, but you need the right people on the ground,” Uwase said, stressing that technical expertise and equipment quality are prioritized alongside financial capacity.
Mineral potential across Rwanda
Each block offers distinct opportunities for mineral exploration. Binyeri in Kamonyi District spans 70 hectares and is promising for cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, lithium, and beryllium. Musenyi in Bugesera District covers 1,100 hectares within the Bugesera granite, known for tin-bearing pegmatites with grades reaching 0.2 percent. Rubiha in Gatsibo District lies in a tin-rich mineral zone with cassiterite purity ranging from 90 to 99 percent.
Other notable blocks include Minazi in Gakenke District, historically mined for tantalum, gemstones, and traces of gold with estimated resources of around 12,000 tonnes of tantalum. Shyorongi in Rulindo District shows potential for niobium, cassiterite, tungsten, and gold, while Bihembe in Rwamagana District is associated with tantalum and rare metals. Kabagari-Kinihira in Ruhango District contains lithium, beryllium, and gemstones, and Nyamyumba-Kivumu in Rubavu District is promising for tin, tungsten, and beryl.
Gemstone-rich sites include Bushekeri-Rangiro in Nyamasheke District, known for sapphire, ruby, and amethyst, with sapphires measuring up to eight millimeters, and Kanama in Rubavu District, which holds deposits of tourmaline, sapphire, beryl, and almandine, along with recoverable dolerite boulders along rivers.
Positioning Rwanda as a tech mineral hub
Rwanda is positioning itself as a critical supplier of minerals used in electronics, batteries, and clean-energy technologies. By opening new mining blocks, the government aims to attract exploration capital, strengthen local expertise, and boost mineral exports.
Uwase emphasized the importance of maintaining strict technical and environmental standards. “We hope to see even stronger interest this time. The more competition, the better the outcomes for Rwanda’s mining future,” she said.
Applications for the new mining blocks close on March 3, 2026, signaling a key moment for investors seeking access to Rwanda’s strategic mineral resources.
About the Author
Racheal Nagawa is a senior reporter at Business Express Magazine with over a decade of experience covering economy, business, finance, entrepreneurship, and African lifestyle across both print and electronic media.
