Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - France has pledged to support the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) in its geological data exploration efforts.
The announcement was made by Kehinde Bamigbetan, special adviser to Dele
Alake, Nigeria’s minister of solid minerals development, in a statement on
Monday, January 20.
The funding commitment stems from a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on
mining activities signed by Nigeria and France in December 2024. During
President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Paris, the MOU was established to diversify
critical value chains in the solid minerals sectors of both nations.
At the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Alake met with
Benjamin Gallezot, head of France’s inter-ministerial delegate for strategic
minerals, to advance the MOU’s implementation. Both sides agreed to exchange
information on mining laws and explore joint solutions to challenges such as
illegal mining and cadastral management.
Bamigbetan revealed that France is currently screening a list of French
companies interested in investing in Nigeria’s mining sector. Verified
investors will be forwarded to Nigeria’s ministry of Solid Minerals
Development. Additionally, both nations’ geological agencies plan to
collaborate on specific mineral exploration projects to develop comprehensive
databases.
The meeting covered topics including sustainable mining, artisanal
mining, geological exploration, cadastral management, training, and funding.
Olusegun Ige, director-general of the NGSA, highlighted the agency’s need for
advanced technological equipment to expedite mineral exploration. Ige
emphasized the importance of upgrading Nigeria’s laboratory capabilities and
fostering local expertise through international training programs.
Simon Nkom, director-general of the Nigerian mining cadastral office,
called for a comparative analysis of mining laws between Nigeria and France to
benefit the ongoing review of Nigerian regulations. Nkom also urged French
investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s mining sector through the MOU
framework.
Fatima Shinkafi, executive secretary of the Nigerian Solid Minerals
Development Fund (SMDF), proposed co-funding early-stage exploration projects
with French financial institutions. She noted that the SMDF has already
acquired valuable data and practices through its collaboration with the Africa
Finance Corporation (AFC).
Christophe Poinssot, deputy director of the French Geological Agency,
announced Nigeria’s inclusion in France’s funding program for African
geologists, which has supported over 1,000 professionals over the past eight
years. Poinssot also promised to upgrade Nigeria’s geological laboratory to
international standards as part of France’s commitment to empowering mining
countries.
Both countries agreed to finalize program development and review
implementation progress at the upcoming annual Indaba in Cape Town, South
Africa.
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