Supply chains for critical raw materials are to be strengthened, with a particular focus on the secondary utilization of former Nigerian mines.
Nigeria and France are taking steps to collaborate in the extraction and processing of critical minerals. According to Voice of Nigeria and other sources, a memorandum of understanding has been signed to enhance the entire value chain of these resources, from mining to processing, while also prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The agreement, signed by Dr. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals, and Benjamin Gallezot, France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Metals and Minerals, was part of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France. It aims to foster joint mining and processing projects, reduce the environmental footprint of mining activities, and rehabilitate former mining sites in Nigeria. This includes exploring secondary mining, which utilizes remnants like waste dumps and mine water as new sources of raw materials.
The partnership is expected to attract French investors and is integral to Nigeria’s efforts to make its mining sector globally competitive. While Nigeria’s economy is currently heavily reliant on oil exports, the country seeks to diversify by tapping into its reserves of metals such as lithium, nickel, and gold.
Africa’s Resource Wealth: A Focus for Western Nations and China
Resource-rich African nations are becoming increasingly critical for Western countries seeking to meet rising demand while reducing dependency on Chinese imports. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently visited Nigeria and Ghana, highlighting the potential for collaboration on raw materials—a topic also under discussion at the ongoing German-African Business Summit in Kenya.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden is visiting Angola to advance the Lobito Corridor, a proposed railway linking Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This joint EU-U.S. infrastructure project is seen as a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to bolster China’s global influence and secure access to Africa’s vast mineral resources.
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