Nigeria, South Africa sign MoU to enhance mining sector operations
Nigeria and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in the mining sector. The agreement was formalized during a bilateral meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, H.E. Gwede Mantashe.
The MoU, signed under the framework of the recently inaugurated Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission by Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa, outlines strategic areas of cooperation with clear implementation timelines.
Dr. Alake described the agreement as a milestone in deepening bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of mining as a catalyst for industrialization, job creation, and sustainable development across Africa.
“The Memorandum of Understanding in geology, mining, and mineral processing signed today will serve as a cornerstone for facilitating knowledge and technology transfer, investment promotion, capacity building, regional integration, and value addition,” Alake said.
Key highlights of the agreement include capacity building in geological applications using UAVs, the use of advanced remote sensing technologies for mineral exploration, and the sharing of geoscientific data on strategic minerals. Other focus areas are training in mineral processing, value addition, and the exploration of agro and energy minerals in Nigeria.
South Africa, which boasts a robust mining industry, is expected to bring technical expertise and innovation to support Nigeria’s push to revitalize its solid minerals sector. Mantashe expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that South Africa stands to benefit from Nigeria’s rich mineral reserves, while Nigeria can leverage South Africa’s mining experience.
“This visit is part of our efforts to fine-tune the agreements from the Bi-National Commission and to build lasting partnerships in the mining sector,” Mantashe said.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu; Permanent Secretaries Dr. Mary Ogbe and Dr. Chris Isokpunwu; as well as senior officials from both countries’ ministries and members of the South African delegation.
