Nigeria and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU
, in Paris to strengthened their commitment to advancing the mining sector.
At a meeting on the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officials from both nations outlined actionable steps to enhance Nigeria’s geological infrastructure, facilitate technology transfer, and promote sustainable mining practices.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake and France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals, Benjamin Gallezot, led delegations in discussions that focused on aligning policies, exchanging expertise, and fostering investment opportunities in Nigeria’s mining industry.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Kehinde Bamigbetan, says France is committed to providing advanced technological equipment, funding geological6 data exploration, and upgrading the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency’s (NGSA) laboratory to international standards.
According to the statement the Minister of Solid Minerals development, Dr. Alake appreciated Gallezot for his role in expediting the MOU’s completion during President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The statement expresses confidence in the partnership’s potential to dispel doubts and deliver measurable results, particularly in geological exploration, cadastral management, and artisanal mining reforms.
According to the statement, the France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals, Benjamin Gallezot states that his department was finalizing a list of vetted French companies interested in investing in Nigeria’s mining sector.
“This list will soon be forwarded to Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to facilitate investment initiatives”
It adds that France’s Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM), Christophe Poinssot, highlights that Nigeria will benefit from French funds dedicated to building geological capacity in Africa.
The statement assures that France will upgrade Nigeria’s geological laboratory and implement training programs to develop local expertise.
The statement says Director-General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, Professor Olusegun Ige, emphasizes the need for modern equipment and laboratory upgrades to expedite mineral exploration across Nigeria’s resource-rich regions.
Also the Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, Simon Nkom, advocates for a comparative analysis of mining laws in both countries to identify best practices while encouraging French investors to leverage opportunities presented by the MOU.
On her part, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, proposes co-funding initiatives for early-stage exploration projects in collaboration with French financial institutions.
She underscores the SMDF’s success in collaborating with the Africa Finance Corporation to support mining entrepreneurs
It emphasizes this renewed partnership between Nigeria and France is expected to accelerate investments, build capacity, and unlock Nigeria’s vast mineral potential.
