Nigeria and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote mining development, with the aim of boosting industrialization and creating jobs in both nations.
This agreement is part of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation under the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, which was recently revitalized by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa.
The MoU, signed in Abuja, marks a key milestone in bilateral economic diplomacy, focusing on the solid minerals sector. Both Nigeria and South Africa have identified this sector as vital for fostering industrial growth, generating employment, and ensuring sustainable development.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the agreement was formalized during a bilateral meeting 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, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
At the event, Dr. Alake called the agreement a turning point in bilateral relations, highlighting mining’s vast potential to transform Africa’s economic landscape.
He emphasized that the partnership would focus on technology transfer, investment promotion, skills development, and regional integration—key factors for driving value addition and ensuring long-term prosperity.
“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 stated.
Dr. Alake reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to making the mining industry a central pillar of economic diversification. He pointed out that while Nigeria has vast untapped mineral resources, South Africa’s decades of experience in mining governance, operations, and financing makes the partnership a perfect synergy.
The Minister stated that the collaboration would help both nations build a resilient mining ecosystem—one that strengthens local value chains, enhances technical capacity, and boosts investor confidence.
Meanwhile, Mantashe welcomed the partnership, expressing South Africa’s eagerness to expand its footprint in Africa through knowledge sharing and industrial cooperation.
He noted that his visit was focused on finalizing outcomes from the recent Bi-National Commission summit and turning diplomatic agreements into tangible, actionable projects.
Both ministers pledged to implement the MoU within a defined timeline, with regular reviews and joint progress assessments. They also committed to promoting public-private partnerships to harness opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
