Nigeria and South Africa have formalised a partnership in mining development through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties under the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission, recently inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The MoU, signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, and South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, H.E. Gwede Mantashe, outlines key areas of cooperation and defines implementation timelines.
Dr Alake, who hosted Minister Mantashe at his office in Abuja, described the agreement as a landmark development in deepening collaboration in the strategic mining sector.
In a statement by Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to the minister of solid minerals development, Alake highlighted the historic diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries, built on mutual respect and a shared vision for Africa’s development.
He noted that collaboration in the mining sector holds transformative potential for industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable growth across the continent.
“The Memorandum of Understanding in geology, mining, and mineral processing signed today,” said Alake, “will serve as a cornerstone for facilitating knowledge and technology transfer, promoting investment, building capacity, advancing regional integration, and enhancing value addition.”
Key Highlights of the MoU Include: Capacity building in geological applications using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); Utilisation of Multi and Hyper-spectral Remote Sensing Technologies for mineral exploration and geological mapping; Sharing of geoscientific data on strategic minerals through the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA); Training on mineral processing and value addition; Capacity Building on Elemental Fingerprint Technology using LA-ICP-MS; and exploration of Agro and Energy Minerals In Nigeria
Dr Alake reaffirmed Nigeria’s renewed commitment to developing its mining industry, noting that the country’s extensive mineral wealth presents a valuable opportunity for South Africa, which, in turn, can offer Nigeria access to its advanced mining expertise. He described the partnership as mutually beneficial, with the potential to unlock investment, skills development, and economic diversification.
Echoing these sentiments, H.E. Mantashe remarked that South Africa—where mining remains a cornerstone of the economy—is keen to partner with Nigeria as it revitalises its solid minerals sector. He said his visit aimed to refine agreements initiated under the Bi-National Commission and to deepen cooperation on joint projects with Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Both ministers pledged sustained engagement and collaboration, expressing confidence that the partnership would bolster intra-African trade and accelerate the delivery of key outcomes outlined in the MoU.
Also present at the signing ceremony were the minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu; the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Mary Ogbe; the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr Chris Isokpunwu; as well as senior officials from both ministries and members of the South African delegation led by Minister Mantashe.
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