Nigeria and South Africa have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at unlocking Africa’s vast mineral resources through collaboration in the solid minerals sector.
The agreement was sealed during a high-level technical working visit on mining sector cooperation, held in Abuja, where Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, met with his South African counterpart, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Hon. Gwede Mantashe.
The bilateral meeting also included Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, senior officials from both countries, and permanent secretaries from the respective ministries. At the heart of the engagement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on geology, mineral processing, technology transfer, and joint research initiatives.
Dr. Alake said the collaboration would promote cross-border investment and drive economic diversification, job creation, and industrial growth. He noted that both countries are aligning their efforts with the African Mining Vision, a continental framework for harnessing mineral resources to advance sustainable development.
“This partnership holds immense promise for transforming Africa’s mineral wealth into real economic value. We are building a future that thrives on cooperation, shared knowledge, and regional development,” he said.
According to Alake, the agreement will also support capacity building, enabling the exchange of technical expertise between both countries—particularly in mining sub-sectors such as lithium, tin, gold, baryte, and rare earth elements.
Minister Shuaibu Audu welcomed the progress made during the visit, calling the engagement “highly productive.” He said Nigeria is prepared to implement the resolutions reached, including initiatives that will deepen technology transfer and value addition across mineral value chains.
Today, during my meeting with H.E. Gwede Mantashe, South Africa's Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on geology, mining, and mineral processing.
This agreement will facilitate knowledge and technology transfer,… pic.twitter.com/HMRUSOvR2c
— Dele Alake (@AlakeDele) April 16, 2025Gwede Mantashe, on his part, noted that South Africa stands to benefit from Nigeria’s renewed focus on solid minerals. He stated that his visit aimed to advance previously discussed agreements under the Bi-National Commission and to expand areas of mutual interest between the two nations.
The meeting underscored the long-standing ties between Nigeria and South Africa, built on a shared commitment to Africa’s industrialization and economic resilience.
