The Nigerian Government and France have agreed to collaborate on developing joint projects aimed at enhancing and diversifying the value chain of critical minerals in both countries’ solid minerals sectors.
The agreement, which was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was signed on the sidelines of President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to France.
The partnership focuses on essential minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements key components for the development of clean energy technologies. This collaboration is expected to open new avenues for addressing the issue of over 2,000 abandoned mining pits in Nigeria, which have long posed environmental and safety concerns.
In recent years, these abandoned sites have been the scene of numerous tragedies, including the recent collapse of mining pits that claimed at least 65 lives across the country. The MoU is set to play a crucial role in mitigating such risks, while also promoting more sustainable mining practices.
According to a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister Segun Tomori, the agreement includes plans for research, training, and student exchanges between the two nations to facilitate knowledge transfer in the mining sector. Both countries have committed to executing joint projects focused on promoting sustainable mining activities that reduce environmental harm, such as minimizing carbon emissions, water consumption, and mitigating climate change impacts.
A major component of the MoU is the development of extractive and processing projects through co-financing by both public and private sectors. This will help diversify the supply of critical minerals, which are essential to powering green energy projects and the broader value chain of the mining industry.
Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake, signed the MoU for Nigeria, while Benjamin Gallezot, France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, signed on behalf of the French government.
Both nations have pledged to adhere to international best practices in the execution of these projects, ensuring they benefit local communities affected by mining while prioritizing transparency. Additionally, the collaboration will foster the development of capacity-building initiatives for sector administrators, aimed at enhancing the management of the critical metals sector.
Alake hailed the partnership as a significant boost to the Nigerian government’s efforts to reposition the country’s solid minerals sector for greater international competitiveness. He emphasized that the agreement would also create opportunities to attract French investors into Nigeria’s mining industry, helping to unlock the full potential of the sector.
