Nigeria, France strengthen mining collaboration at Riyadh forum

Nigeria and France have advanced their mining partnership, cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Paris last month. The agreement gained significant momentum during discussions held at the ongoing Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, where both nations committed to specific initiatives to bolster Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
The meeting, led by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals, Benjamin Gallezot, resulted in France pledging to upgrade Nigeria’s geological laboratory, supply advanced technological equipment, and fund geological exploration through the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).
Key Outcomes of the Talks
- Technological and Financial Support: France committed to enhancing Nigeria’s capacity in geological exploration by upgrading laboratories and funding research. Christophe Poinssot, Deputy Director of the French Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres (BRGM), confirmed that Nigeria would be included in a new phase of funding to train geologists across Africa.
- Investor Screening: Gallezot disclosed that France is reviewing a list of French companies interested in investing in Nigeria’s mining sector, with plans to share verified candidates with the Nigerian ministry.
- Knowledge Exchange: Both nations agreed to compare mining laws, particularly cadastral management practices and measures against illegal mining, to foster regulatory improvement.
- Collaborative Exploration: Plans for joint exploration efforts and database development were outlined, with an implementation timeline set for review during next month’s Mining Indaba in Cape Town.

Professor Olusegun Ige, Director-General of the NGSA, emphasized the need for modern equipment to accelerate exploration and accurate geological data analysis. He stressed the importance of upgrading laboratory facilities and investing in local expertise with global exposure.
Engineer Simon Nkom, Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, highlighted the value of comparing mining laws between the two nations to refine Nigeria’s ongoing legal review.
Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Fund (SMDF), proposed co-funding early-stage exploration projects with French financial institutions. She noted that the SMDF’s collaboration with the Africa Finance Corporation has already provided valuable insights and best practices.
Poinssot announced that France would empower Nigeria’s mining sector by modernizing its laboratory to meet international standards and expanding training opportunities for Nigerian geologists.
Concluding the talks, Gallezot emphasized France’s willingness to support Nigeria’s efforts, noting that specific proposals would be deliberated within French government circles to develop an actionable implementation plan.
Dr. Alake, in his remarks, praised the productive dialogue and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to implement collaborative programs, policies, and projects. He also dismissed political criticisms of the MOU, emphasizing its focus on sustainable mining and mutual benefits.
Both delegations resolved to finalize their collaborative framework and assess progress at the Mining Indaba in South Africa next month.