Nigeria, South Africa Forge Strategic Mining Alliance to Boost Industrialisation and Job Creation
Nigeria and South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding (Mou) aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the solid minerals sector.
The agreement was formalised during a high-level meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and his South African counterpart, Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy. The Mou builds on the strategic framework established under the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission, championed by Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa.
The newly signed Mou outlines clear timelines and priority areas for joint action, including cutting-edge applications of geological technology. Key initiatives involve the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS), multi- and hyperspectral remote sensing for mineral exploration, and advanced geological mapping.
Other areas of cooperation include geo-scientific data sharing on strategic minerals via the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), joint training in mineral processing and value addition, and technical exchange on elemental fingerprinting using LA-ICP-MS technology. The agreement also targets the exploration of Nigeria’s agro and energy minerals.
Speaking at the event, Minister Alake hailed the partnership as a “milestone in deepening bilateral relations” and a catalyst for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth across the continent.
“The Mou will be a cornerstone for driving knowledge and technology transfer, investment promotion, regional integration, and value addition,” Alake stated. “This is about more than mining — it’s about transforming our economies.”
Alake emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to revitalising its mining sector and underscored the mutual benefits of aligning Nigeria’s abundant mineral wealth with South Africa’s mining expertise.
In his remarks, Minister Mantashe acknowledged Nigeria’s emerging leadership in the mining space and expressed enthusiasm for the renewed partnership.
“South Africa, with its mature mining sector, sees this collaboration as an opportunity to support and benefit from Nigeria’s renewed focus on minerals development,” Mantashe said. “This is about refining our shared goals and delivering on the Bi-National Commission’s vision.”
Both ministers committed to sustained engagement, stressing the Mou’s potential to stimulate intra-African trade, create jobs, and diversify economic opportunities. The initiative also aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (Afcfta) goals of strengthening regional value chains and reducing dependence on raw mineral exports.
Key stakeholders, including Shuaibu Audu, Minister of Steel Development; Mary Ogbe, Permanent Secretary of the Solid Minerals Ministry; and Chris Isokpunwu, Permanent Secretary of the Steel Development Ministry, attended the signing. Senior government officials and South Africa’s delegation, led by Mantashe, also attended.
