Nigeria, France sign MOU to advance critical minerals sector

Nigeria and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in the development and diversification of the critical minerals value chain within the solid minerals sector of both nations.

The agreement, reached during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to France, highlights a commitment to sustainable mining practices and mutual growth. It encompasses minerals essential to clean energy technologies, including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

The MOU, signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, Mr. Benjamin Gallezot, outlines a framework for collaboration in research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges. The initiative aims to facilitate knowledge and skills transfer, vital for bolstering the critical minerals sector.

One of the pivotal aspects of the agreement is its focus on promoting sustainable mining practices. Projects under the MOU will prioritize reducing environmental impacts such as carbon emissions, water usage, and climate change effects.

The deal also provides for co-financed joint extraction and processing projects by public and private entities to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals and support the decarbonization of energy systems.

In addition to these goals, the partnership is set to address environmental rehabilitation, including the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned mining pits in Nigeria. Through environmental intervention programs, the initiative aims to mitigate the ecological damage caused by previous mining activities.

Both countries have committed to adhering to international best practices, with a focus on improving the living conditions of local communities affected by mining and ensuring transparency in project execution.

Furthermore, the MOU will promote capacity building through regular bilateral and multilateral training sessions, seminars, and events, enhancing the ability of administrators to manage the critical metals sector efficiently.

Describing the agreement as a milestone in repositioning Nigeria’s solid minerals sector for global competitiveness, Dr. Alake stated that the partnership would attract French investment to the Nigerian mining industry.

He emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the Tinubu administration’s agenda to transform the solid minerals sector into a key driver of the nation’s economic diversification.