Friday 16, Jan. 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Facing international scrutiny following a damaging electoral crisis, the Government of Tanzania has launched a significant influence operation in the U.S. capital. The East African nation has retained a firm led by a former Republican Congressman to repair its reputational standing and position itself as a critical partner in the global race for rare earth minerals.
According to Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings made public this morning, Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation has signed a two-year, $1.08 million contract with Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC. The firm is led by Tom Graves, a former Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia, signaling a clear intent to leverage GOP ties in Washington.
The agreement comes at a pivotal moment for Tanzania, which has faced diplomatic headwinds following recent election controversies. The contract's "Scope of Work" reveals a dual-track strategy: engaging in damage control to restore the country's democratic image while aggressively marketing its mining potential to a United States eager to decouple its supply chains from China.
While the seven-figure price tag is notable, the contract's "Scope of Work" has another unusually explicit strategy: a mandate to bypass direct advocacy in favor of shaping narratives through "third-party validators" in Washington's think tanks and academia.
The "Third-Party" Playbook
Lobbying contracts typically utilize vague language regarding "government relations" and "strategic counsel." However, the agreement between Ervin Graves and the Tanzanian government contains a section titled "Third-Party Validation Strategy and Think Tank Outreach," which offers a rare glimpse into the mechanics of modern influence operations.
The contract explicitly argues that in the current political climate, "respected voices from Congress, think tanks, academia, and former officials often carry greater weight than direct advocacy."
To capitalize on this, the firm has been tasked to:
The Rare Earths Angle
The primary policy driver behind this push appears to be the United States' intensifying desire to decouple its critical mineral supply chains from China.
The filing outlines a specific mandate to "research U.S. government requirements for rare earth minerals" and "assess how U.S. requirements align with Tanzania's rare earth mineral potential." The lobbyists are tasked with highlighting Tanzania's "robust rare earth mineral deposits" to attract foreign direct investment and integrate the country into U.S. strategic supply chains.
By positioning itself as an alternative source for the minerals essential to electric vehicles, defense systems, and high-tech electronics, Tanzania aims to elevate its status from a regional player to a strategic national security partner for the United States.
The Contract Details
Beyond minerals, the firm is tasked with a wide range of reputational management duties. These include positioning Tanzania as a "reliable partner in counterterrorism" and highlighting its "democratic engagement"—a likely effort to preempt concerns regarding the country's internal political stability and human rights record.
The firm will also target key power centers in Washington, specifically the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and committees with jurisdiction over defense, appropriations, and trade.
The initial payment of $45,000 was wire-transferred on January 7, 2026, officially kicking off the engagement.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Facing international scrutiny following a damaging electoral crisis, the Government of Tanzania has launched a significant influence operation in the U.S. capital. The East African nation has retained a firm led by a former Republican Congressman to repair its reputational standing and position itself as a critical partner in the global race for rare earth minerals.
According to Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filings made public this morning, Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation has signed a two-year, $1.08 million contract with Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC. The firm is led by Tom Graves, a former Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia, signaling a clear intent to leverage GOP ties in Washington.
The agreement comes at a pivotal moment for Tanzania, which has faced diplomatic headwinds following recent election controversies. The contract's "Scope of Work" reveals a dual-track strategy: engaging in damage control to restore the country's democratic image while aggressively marketing its mining potential to a United States eager to decouple its supply chains from China.
While the seven-figure price tag is notable, the contract's "Scope of Work" has another unusually explicit strategy: a mandate to bypass direct advocacy in favor of shaping narratives through "third-party validators" in Washington's think tanks and academia.
The "Third-Party" Playbook
Lobbying contracts typically utilize vague language regarding "government relations" and "strategic counsel." However, the agreement between Ervin Graves and the Tanzanian government contains a section titled "Third-Party Validation Strategy and Think Tank Outreach," which offers a rare glimpse into the mechanics of modern influence operations.
The contract explicitly argues that in the current political climate, "respected voices from Congress, think tanks, academia, and former officials often carry greater weight than direct advocacy."
To capitalize on this, the firm has been tasked to:
- "Identify and equip credible champions" to advocate for Tanzania's Value.
- "Shape positive narratives" regarding the country's regional role.
- Arrange speaking engagements and roundtables for these third-party voices.
The Rare Earths Angle
The primary policy driver behind this push appears to be the United States' intensifying desire to decouple its critical mineral supply chains from China.
The filing outlines a specific mandate to "research U.S. government requirements for rare earth minerals" and "assess how U.S. requirements align with Tanzania's rare earth mineral potential." The lobbyists are tasked with highlighting Tanzania's "robust rare earth mineral deposits" to attract foreign direct investment and integrate the country into U.S. strategic supply chains.
By positioning itself as an alternative source for the minerals essential to electric vehicles, defense systems, and high-tech electronics, Tanzania aims to elevate its status from a regional player to a strategic national security partner for the United States.
The Contract Details
- Registrant: Ervin Graves Strategy Group LLC
- Foreign Principal: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation (Tanzania)
- Effective Date: December 15, 2025 (Registration filed January 9, 2026)
- Duration: 24 Months
- Fee Structure: $45,000 per month
- Total Value: $1,080,000
- Signatories: Tom Graves (Ervin Graves Strategy Group) and Ambassador Dr. S.W. Shelukindo (Permanent Secretary, Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Beyond minerals, the firm is tasked with a wide range of reputational management duties. These include positioning Tanzania as a "reliable partner in counterterrorism" and highlighting its "democratic engagement"—a likely effort to preempt concerns regarding the country's internal political stability and human rights record.
The firm will also target key power centers in Washington, specifically the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and committees with jurisdiction over defense, appropriations, and trade.
The initial payment of $45,000 was wire-transferred on January 7, 2026, officially kicking off the engagement.
This report is based on FARA Registration Number 7660, filed with the U.S. Department of Justice (attached)
