Nigeria and France have strengthened their commitment to advancing the mining sector through the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last month in Paris. Meeting on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officials from both nations outlined actionable steps to enhance Nigeria’s geological infrastructure, facilitate technology transfer, and promote sustainable mining practices.
Dr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, and Benjamin Gallezot, France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals, led their delegations in discussions that focused on aligning policies, exchanging expertise, and fostering investment opportunities in Nigeria’s mining industry.
Advancing the MOU Goals
In a statement by Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Special Adviser to the Minister, France committed to providing advanced technological equipment, funding geological data exploration, and upgrading the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency’s (NGSA) laboratory to international standards.
Dr. Alake commended Gallezot for his role in expediting the MOU’s completion during President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. He expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential to dispel doubts and deliver measurable results, particularly in geological exploration, cadastral management, and artisanal mining reforms.
Investment Opportunities
Gallezot revealed that his department was finalizing a list of vetted French companies interested in investing in Nigeria’s mining sector. This list will soon be forwarded to Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to facilitate investment initiatives.
Christophe Poinssot, Deputy Director of France’s Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), highlighted that Nigeria would benefit from French funds dedicated to building geological capacity in Africa. He assured that France would upgrade Nigeria’s geological laboratory and implement training programs to develop local expertise.
Sectoral Challenges and Solutions
Professor Olusegun Ige, Director-General of the NGSA, emphasized the need for modern equipment and laboratory upgrades to expedite mineral exploration across Nigeria’s resource-rich regions. He called for international partnerships to facilitate skills transfer and global exposure for Nigerian experts.
Engineer Simon Nkom, Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, advocated for a comparative analysis of mining laws in both countries to identify best practices. He also encouraged French investors to leverage opportunities presented by the MOU.
Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), proposed co-funding initiatives for early-stage exploration projects in collaboration with French financial institutions. She underscored the SMDF’s success in collaborating with the Africa Finance Corporation to support mining entrepreneurs.
Roadmap for Execution
The parties resolved to pursue collaborative geological exploration and database development initiatives. Gallezot assured that the proposals discussed would undergo review by the French government, with implementation strategies to be finalized at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town next month.
A Path to Sustainable Growth
This renewed partnership between Nigeria and France is expected to accelerate investments, build capacity, and unlock Nigeria’s vast mineral potential. By fostering collaboration and innovation, both nations aim to position the mining sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
