Nigeria and France Forge Pact to Transform Mining Sector
The Federal Government of Nigeria and France have signed a landmark agreement to jointly develop projects aimed at diversifying the value chain of critical minerals essential to clean energy technologies, including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalised during President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to France, encompasses a broad collaboration on research, training, and student exchange programmes to enhance knowledge and skills in mining.
A statement by Segun Tomori, media aide to the Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, highlighted the potential of the deal to remediate over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria—a growing concern following recent incidents where at least 65 people lost their lives in mining-related collapses.
“A key component of the MoU is the promotion of sustainable mining activities,” the statement noted, emphasizing projects designed to reduce the environmental impact of mining through carbon emissions mitigation, water conservation, and climate change adaptation.
The agreement also outlines plans for Franco-Nigerian joint ventures in mineral extraction and processing, leveraging public-private co-financing to secure critical mineral supplies and advance decarbonisation efforts in energy projects.
Dr. Alake signed the MoU on behalf of Nigeria, while Mr. Benjamin Gallezot, France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, represented the French government. Both parties committed to adopting international best practices in implementing projects and prioritising the welfare of communities impacted by mining.
Speaking on the partnership, Alake described it as a significant boost for the Tinubu administration’s efforts to reposition Nigeria’s solid minerals sector for global competitiveness. “We will leverage this partnership to attract French investors and open up new opportunities in the mining industry,” he stated.
The MoU further envisages regular bilateral training and events to enhance institutional capacity, ensuring administrators and stakeholders can better manage the critical metals value chain while fostering transparency and sustainability in the sector.
