The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared Nigeria’s electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (eMC+) platform a benchmark for transparency and digital integration in the extractive sector.
On Friday, a delegation of ECOWAS technical experts visited the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) in Abuja, where they described the web-based mineral-title system as “an exemplary system” worthy of replication across West Africa.
Leader of the mission and regional mining-systems coordinator, William Badieo, praised Nigeria’s progress in digitising licence administration:
“Nigeria is far ahead. What we witnessed is a practical demonstration of a fully functional, transparent, and accessible digital system.”
Badieo said the tour formed part of a second feasibility study for a proposed regional Geo-Extractive Observatory and Key Distance System, adding that Nigeria’s eMC+ could serve as the cornerstone of a harmonised West African cadastre.
“Our approach is anchored on cooperation, harmonisation, and integration,” he noted, “and Nigeria’s eMC+ fits perfectly into that vision.”
Obadiah Simon Nkom, Director-General of the MCO, called the visit a recognition of Nigeria’s leadership in mining-sector reform and digital innovation. He traced the journey back to the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, which set the stage for moving “from analogue record-keeping to a sophisticated, GIS-enabled platform”.
“This synergy will ensure any investor entering the ECOWAS region can access harmonised, transparent data using GIS platforms,” Nkom said.
“We are not only reforming for Nigeria; we are building a system that supports the continent’s shared goals.”
He highlighted eMC+ features such as real-time licence applications, global remote access, and integrated beneficial-ownership and politically exposed-person disclosures. He also credited Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake and the African Development Bank for their support, noting that it shows “everything is on the right track”.
Madu Fika, Chief Geologist at Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources and member of the ECOWAS team, admitted:
“My impression was marvellous. I never expected to see such a highly advanced digital platform. This visit has changed my perception of how far Nigeria has come in using technology for mining governance.”
He argued that a unified system would “significantly boost transparency, accountability, and investor confidence”.
Echoing the sentiment, Eugene Norman, Head of Sierra Leone’s Mining Cadastre Office, said:
“It is important we learn from Nigeria’s experience—what works and what doesn’t—so we can guide our own countries accordingly. This visit will help elevate all member states to a common standard.”
Operational since November 2022, eMC+ has positioned Nigeria as a continental leader in digital mineral-title administration. ECOWAS expects to complete its technical review shortly and consider adopting the Nigerian platform as the foundation for a harmonised, investor-friendly extractive-data framework across West Africa.
