Kisarawe sees new dawn after with the arrival of Detonators, Solar Intracom Chemicals factories

KISARAWE: KISARAWE District in Coast Region has positioned itself as a major hub for the production of dynamite and other type of explosives following the establishment of two factories aimed at increasing domestic production and reducing the country’s reliance on imports.

The factories are Ideal Detonators Tanzania Limited and Solar Intracom Chemicals Limited, which together have significant production capacity for explosives used in mining and other industrial activities.

Ideal Detonators is expected to become one of the largest factories of its kind in East Africa, with an annual production capacity of 84,000 tonnes of explosives and 50,000 explosive units. Solar Intracom Chemicals, meanwhile, has the capacity to produce 25,000 tonnes of explosives and 15,000 explosive units annually.

Speaking during a visit to Kisarawe District to inspect mining activities, assess challenges facing investors and monitor project implementation, Deputy Minister for Minerals Dr Steven Kiruswa said the investments would strengthen the availability of explosives required by mines across the country.

He said Tanzania’s annual demand for explosives is estimated at an average of 79,548.22 tonnes, alongside 29,663.17 explosive units, making investment in domestic production critical to meeting market demand.

Dr Kiruswa said the investments were also consistent with the government’s value-addition agenda in the mining sector, as Tanzania seeks to move beyond mineral extraction and promote domestic production of goods required for mining operations.

“Explosives are among the key products required in mining activities because they enable miners to access mineral deposits. Producing these products locally will improve availability and reduce reliance on imports,” he said.

Addressing concerns over the domestic market raised by the management of Solar Intracom Chemicals, Dr Kiruswa said the Ministry of Minerals was taking the matter seriously and would work with stakeholders to find a solution.

He said the government would seek to ensure that locally manufactured products have a reliable market, enabling the factories to maintain sustainable production.

Dr Kiruswa noted that the government had previously addressed production challenges in other sectors, including the salt industry, and expressed confidence that similar challenges facing the production of explosives would also be resolved.

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He also said the government would work with relevant authorities to address concerns raised by Ideal Detonators over delays in clearing production equipment that remains at the port for extended periods.

Resident Mining Officer for the Dar es Salaam and Coast Mining Region, Engineer Lameck Gabote, said Tanzania currently has eight small and medium-sized factories producing an average of 49,000 tonnes of explosives and 950,000 explosive units annually.

“Despite this level of production, it still does not meet the annual demand for explosives in the country’s mines. The Coast Region has four explosives manufacturing plants, two of which are located in Kisarawe District,” Gabote said.

Kisarawe District Commissioner Petro Maguti said the district was ready for a major industrial transformation, noting that Ideal Detonators is among the largest factories of its kind in East Africa, with an investment exceeding 15bn/-.

Maguti said Kisarawe is also expected to receive four additional factories that will manufacture a range of products, including steel reinforcement bars, speakers and poultry hatchery equipment.

“Kisarawe has industrial and construction minerals, land for industrial development, electricity, water and supporting transport infrastructure. We are ready to receive more investment,” he said.

According to information provided by the two factories, each has already created employment for approximately 250 Tanzanians, increasing job opportunities and stimulating economic activity in Kisarawe District.

Solar Intracom Chemicals Limited was inaugurated by Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde and began production on August 14, 2026.