Nigeria, France Partner On Critical Minerals

Nigeria and France have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on developing joint projects aimed at promoting and diversifying the critical minerals value chain within their solid minerals sector.

Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are indispensable to clean energy technologies and form the backbone of the global transition to sustainable energy systems.

The agreement was formalised during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent official visit to France. It sets the stage for bilateral cooperation in research, training, and student exchanges between the two nations, enabling the transfer of expertise and technical know-how.

According to a statement released by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, a cornerstone of the MOU is the commitment to sustainable mining practices. Both nations pledged to implement projects and programmes designed to mitigate the environmental impact of mining, with a particular focus on reducing carbon emissions and water consumption and addressing climate change concerns.

The agreement also envisions the establishment of joint extractive and processing ventures, supported by co-financing from both public and private entities. These initiatives are geared towards diversifying and securing the supply of critical minerals while driving decarbonisation within the energy value chain.

Dr Dele Alake represented Nigeria in signing the agreement, while Benjamin Gallezot, the Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals of the Republic of France, signed on behalf of France.

The MOU underscores a shared commitment to adopting international best practices in project execution, particularly those designed to improve the conditions of local communities impacted by mining activities. Transparency and inclusivity were also highlighted as guiding principles for the partnership.

One of the transformative aspects of the MOU is its potential to address Nigeria’s legacy of environmental degradation caused by unregulated mining activities.

The statement noted that the agreement provides for intervention in the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across the country, alongside plans for environmental rehabilitation and post-mining land restoration projects.

Capacity building is another key focus, with provisions for bilateral and multilateral training programmes, seminars, and events aimed at enhancing the expertise of administrators and stakeholders in the critical minerals sector.

Dr Alake remarked that the partnership would bolster the Tinubu administration’s agenda to reposition Nigeria’s solid minerals sector for global competitiveness. He emphasised that the collaboration with France represents a strategic opportunity to attract French investors to Nigeria’s burgeoning mining sector.

“This agreement is a pivotal step in harnessing Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth sustainably. By working closely with our French partners, we aim to unlock the sector’s full potential while prioritising environmental stewardship and the welfare of local communities,” Alake stated.

The MOU signals a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to diversify its economy and align its solid minerals sector with global standards, offering a pathway to sustainable growth and enhanced international cooperation.