By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria and France have formalized a partnership to advance the diversification of critical value chains in the solid minerals sector.
Both countries have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement was signed during President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to France, as confirmed in a statement by Segun Tomori, the special assistant on media to Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development on Sunday.
The signing was conducted by Minister Alake and Benjamin Gallezot, France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals.
The MoU outlines collaboration in research, training programs, and Franco-Nigerian student exchange initiatives aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills transfer.
A significant focus of the agreement is the promotion of sustainable mining practices. This includes reducing the environmental impact of mining activities, such as carbon emissions and water consumption, while addressing climate change.
Additionally, the MoU seeks to establish joint extractive and processing projects, co-financed by public and private entities, to secure the supply of critical minerals and support decarbonized energy initiatives.
Both nations have committed to implementing international best practices to improve the livelihoods of local communities impacted by mining, emphasizing transparency and environmental remediation.
As part of this partnership, the MoU will facilitate efforts to rehabilitate over 2,000 abandoned mining pits across Nigeria through environmental restoration and post-mining initiatives. Regular training, seminars, and multilateral events are expected to bolster the capacity of administrators managing the sector’s value chain.
Meanwhile, Minister Dele Alake lauded the agreement as a significant step in positioning Nigeria’s solid minerals sector for global competitiveness. He also emphasized that the partnership would attract French investors, further opening up the mining sector for economic growth and development.
[6:31 PM, 12/1/2024] Ere:
