Nigeria and South Africa have formalised a new partnership in mining development with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies.
The agreement was signed during a bilateral meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Abuja, as part of efforts to build on momentum from the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission, recently launched by Presidents Bola Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa.
South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, H.E. Gwede Mantashe, led a delegation to Nigeria for the high-level meeting with his counterpart, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
In a statement released by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the MoU was described as a milestone for both countries, laying the groundwork for comprehensive collaboration in the mining sector.
Dr. Alake hailed the agreement as a cornerstone of industrial growth, job creation, and sustainable development across Africa. He underlined the historic diplomatic ties between the two nations and said the pact reflects a shared commitment to economic transformation.
“The Memorandum of Understanding in geology, mining, and mineral processing signed today will serve as a foundation for knowledge and technology exchange, investment mobilisation, capacity development, regional cooperation, and value addition,” he said.
The MoU outlines a range of cooperative initiatives, including capacity building in the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for geological purposes, adoption of Multi and Hyper-spectral Remote Sensing Technologies for mineral exploration, and collaborative geological mapping efforts.
It also includes plans to share geoscientific data on strategic minerals through the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency, train personnel in mineral processing and value addition, and enhance capabilities in Elemental Fingerprint Technology using LA-ICP-MS. The agreement will also support the exploration of agricultural and energy minerals within Nigeria.
Dr. Alake noted that while Nigeria holds vast mineral resources, South Africa’s advanced mining technology and industry know-how offer a valuable opportunity for exchange. He said the synergy could unlock new avenues for investment, technical skill development, and diversification of both economies.
H.E. Gwede Mantashe, in his remarks, echoed the sentiment, stating that his visit was aimed at refining earlier agreements from the Bi-National Commission and reinforcing mutual interests in mining cooperation.
He added that South Africa’s long-standing expertise in mining could complement Nigeria’s renewed efforts to revitalise the sector.
Both ministers affirmed their commitment to continued collaboration, stressing that the MoU would serve as a launchpad for increasing intra-African trade and delivering on the promises of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The signing ceremony was attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu; the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe and Dr. Chris Isokpunwu; and other senior officials. They were joined by members of the South African delegation led by Minister Mantashe.
