By: Radio Nigeria

Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s most attractive destination for mineral investment, with over $1.3 billion in lithium processing projects from Chinese companies recorded within the past year, according to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.

Speaking at the China Mining Conference in Tianjin, Dr. Alake urged global investors to “follow the numbers” and increase their stakes in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding solid minerals sector, where comprehensive reforms and digital innovations have made operations more profitable and transparent.

“Since September 2023, when this administration assumed office, Chinese companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Company, and Asba have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing,” the Minister revealed.

He added that these investments are propelling Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, reducing reliance on oil, and fostering technology transfer, infrastructure growth, and skills development for Nigerian workers.

Dr. Alake credited President Bola Tinubu’s strategic diplomacy for boosting investor confidence, noting that agreements signed during the President’s September 2024 visit to China have already yielded fresh investment commitments in critical minerals.

Delivering a presentation titled “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share,” the Minister emphasized that Nigeria’s focus is not merely on raw mineral extraction but on full value chain development, aligning with the global shift toward clean energy.

To protect investments and curb illegal mining, Dr. Alake outlined new security and monitoring initiatives, including deployment of Mining Marshals across the country, a satellite monitoring system for real-time mine tracking and tougher enforcement against mineral smuggling.

He also highlighted innovations transforming Nigeria’s mining governance, such as the Electronic Mining Cadastre (EMC+), the National Mineral Resources Decision Support System (NMRDS), upgraded geoscience Centres of Excellence, and enhanced digital infrastructure enabling remote global transactions.

“We now offer a truly conducive investment climate — and the world is noticing,” Dr. Alake declared.

As Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Alake noted that Nigeria is leading continental efforts to standardize reporting systems and improve exploration governance, ensuring African nations derive greater value from their mineral resources.

He further disclosed plans to expand the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and its joint facility with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) to support early-stage exploration and reduce investment risks.

In a technical session, Prof. Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, Director-General of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), showcased the country’s advanced geological datasets but stressed the need for additional funding to convert these data into proven reserves.

The conference also featured mining industry leaders from China, Sudan, South Africa, and Sierra Leone, who shared insights on advancing sustainable mining across the continent.