***Nigeria to Host Africa’s Largest Rare Earth Plant
The Federal Government has endorsed a $400 million foreign direct investment (FDI) by Hasetins Commodities Limited to establish Africa’s largest rare earth and critical minerals processing plant in Nasarawa State — a transformative project expected to generate over 10,000 jobs nationwide.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who received the management team of Hasetins Commodities in Abuja, described the initiative as a bold response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s value-addition policy aimed at reviving Nigeria’s mining sector through local processing and beneficiation.
“With your collaboration, we are witnessing the birth of Africa’s biggest rare earth metals plant right here in Nigeria,” Alake said. “This project is a testament that our reforms are working, attracting the right investments, and creating opportunities for Nigerians.”
Hasetins Commodities, a firm specializing in critical metals for advanced technology and defence industries, plans to triple its existing 6,000 metric tonnes processing capacity by adding another 12,000 metric tonnes through the new facility. The company is also setting up regional mineral separation plants across the country to support artisanal miners and foster community development.
Alake commended the company for aligning its business model with the federal government’s drive for in-country mineral processing and industrialization. He noted that the project will not only boost job creation and skills development, but also stimulate investor confidence and economic diversification.
On behalf of President Tinubu and the Nigerian people, the Minister pledged full institutional support for the project, which he described as a game-changer in the nation’s solid minerals value chain.
In his remarks, Prince Jidayi, Managing Director/CEO of Hasetins Commodities Limited, credited the Minister’s leadership and sector-wide reforms for creating a more transparent and investor-friendly environment.
“The introduction of mining marshals to tackle illegal mining, and the simplification of licensing processes, gave us the confidence to commit to this major investment,” Prince Jidayi said. “Beyond this plant, we are investing in early-stage beneficiation to empower local miners, including training, safety equipment, and direct community engagement.”
Echoing this, the company’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Peter Butt, said Hasetins’ decision was further driven by the Ministry’s emphasis on value addition, structure, and long-term sustainability in the mining ecosystem.
“This is more than a business investment — it’s a shared vision for national development,” Butt said.
Hasetins Commodities’ rare earth plant will focus on metals essential for high-tech sectors, including green energy, aerospace, and electronics. With construction plans underway, the facility is expected to place Nigeria at the forefront of Africa’s critical minerals economy and reduce dependence on raw mineral exports.
The initiative represents a significant step in Nigeria’s plan to transform solid minerals into a pillar of industrial growth, innovation, and inclusive development.
