Africa (Commonwealth Union) – In a bold move to advance intra-African cooperation in mineral development, Nigeria and South Africa have initiated a strategic partnership aimed at industrializing the continent through mining. On April 16, 2025, a high-level Technical Working Visit on Mining Sector Cooperation in Abuja launched the initiative.
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake emphasized the far-reaching potential of the alliance, describing it as a gateway to unlocking Africa’s vast mineral wealth. “This collaboration is pivotal to fostering sustainable development, driving industrialization, and creating jobs across the continent,” he said.
The event was also attended by South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, and Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu Abubakar. Discussions centered on geology, mineral processing, metallurgy, and investment promotion.
Dr. Alake revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being finalized to cover key areas such as:
- Technology and knowledge transfer
- Cross-border investment facilitation
- Capacity building through joint training and research
- Alignment with the African Mining Vision
- Local value additions to mineral resources
He noted that the reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are creating an enabling environment for responsible mining and foreign investment. Dr. Alake further expressed Nigeria’s intention to benefit from South Africa’s renowned expertise to build robust value chains in lithium, gold, tin, baryte, and rare earth elements.
Minister Prince Shuaibu Audu praised the outcome of the discussions, describing the session as highly productive and affirming Nigeria’s commitment to the resolutions. “We’re prepared to take this collaboration forward through joint ventures, technology transfer, and human capital development,” he said.
The South African delegation received commendation for their technical input and commitment to mutual growth. Both sides acknowledged the importance of follow-through and pledged continuous engagement to ensure the successful implementation of their shared goals.
This partnership is in line with broader continental objectives under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with Nigeria and South Africa taking leadership roles in
