DARUBINI – TANZANIA BRIEFING – AUGUST 2025
The global energy system is undergoing a profound transformation toward clean energy and a low-carbon future. This global energy transition demands the widespread deployment of clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles, which are highly dependent on critical minerals like lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements.
While the global demand for critical could present a major opportunity for African countries rich in (critical) raw materials, the growing competition among global powers has also intensified the risk of human rights violations and the marginalisation of local communities. In particular, rural communities in regions where extraction occurs face long-standing socio-economic inequalities and remain highly vulnerable to exploitation and environmental harm.
In this context, access to justice is fundamental not only as a legal principle but as a tool for empowerment. It ensures that affected populations can voice their concerns, exercise their rights, challenge systemic discrimination, and hold both governments and corporations accountable.
This edition of Darubini critically reflects on what access to justice should look like in the era of critical mineral exploitation. Drawing on insights from local communities, civil society, the international community, and donor organisations, legal experts, and policymakers, calling for transformative reforms that place human rights and social equity at the centre. As Tanzania moves deeper into the critical minerals landscape, ensuring inclusive and equitable justice mechanisms in the extractive sector is not only necessary but long overdue.
“DARUBINI” is the quarterly briefing on “Justice, Human Rights, and Natural Resource Governance in Tanzania.”
This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD). The contents of this document can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the Belgian Development Cooperation.
