Nigeria and the U.S. Forge Strategic Partnership for Mining Development
In a major step toward boosting Nigeria’s mining sector, the Nigerian government and the United States have established a joint working group to facilitate collaboration on mining development, infrastructure, and investment.
As a follow-up to last week’s Abuja meeting between the United States Deputy Chief of Mission, David Greene, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, a high-level discussion took place on the sidelines of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa.
The U.S. delegation, led by Senior Advisor to the U.S. President on Energy and Infrastructure, Amos Hochstein, reaffirmed America’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with Nigeria and expanding investments in the country’s mining ecosystem.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
✅ Unlocking Mining Investments – The U.S. government expressed strong interest in financing Nigeria’s mining sector, focusing on infrastructure development, technical expertise, and operational upgrades.
✅ Sustainable and Clean Mining – The U.S. pledged support for clean energy initiatives, recognizing that a sustainable mining industry requires reliable electricity solutions.
✅ Establishment of a Joint Working Group – Both nations nominated members into a dedicated task force to fast-track discussions and create a roadmap for strategic cooperation.
✅ Financing and Resource Development – Fatima Shinkafi, Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to co-investing in the mining sector, ensuring financial sustainability and long-term viability.
Strengthening Nigeria-U.S. Relations
Minister Dele Alake welcomed the U.S. interest, emphasizing that the partnership would not only boost mining investments but also strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
“We are implementing reforms to create a more investor-friendly mining sector, ensuring that Nigeria becomes a top destination for global mining investments,” he stated.
The Nigerian delegation also included:
- Obadiah Nkom, Director General of the Mining Cadastral Office (MCO)
- Dr. Abdulrasak Garba, Director General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA)
- Ime Ekrikpo, Director of Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade (IPMT)
- Other top officials from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD)
On the U.S. side, notable attendees included:
- Helaina Matza, Special Coordinator, Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investments
- Ribhuti Jain, Regional Managing Director, Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
- Nisha Biswal, Deputy CEO, DFC
- Lyndsey Me Will, Chief of Staff to Amos Hochstein
A New Era for Nigeria’s Mining Industry
The Nigeria-U.S. mining partnership signals a new era of economic transformation, paving the way for sustainable resource development, enhanced foreign direct investment (FDI), and greater global competitiveness in the solid minerals sector.
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