Nigeria and the United States have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership to attract greater American investment into Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, following a high-level bilateral meeting at the White House.
The Nigerian delegation, led by Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr Dele Alake, met with senior US officials to discuss expanding cooperation across the mining value chain. Executives from the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company also participated in the meeting alongside David Copley, Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for Global Supply Chain at the US National Security Council, and Diana London of the DCI Group.
Cooperation Targets Mining Value Chain
The Solid Minerals Investment discussions focused on strengthening collaboration across critical areas of the mining industry. According to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, both sides explored opportunities in advanced geological exploration, modern mining techniques, local mineral processing and refining.
The ministry said the engagement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil by promoting industrial growth and attracting strategic foreign investment.
It added that the initiative supports broader efforts to diversify the economy while creating employment opportunities through increased Solid Minerals Investment and industrial development.
Focus on Investment and Value Addition
The two countries also highlighted the growing importance of secure and resilient mineral supply chains as global demand for minerals continues to rise alongside the transition towards green energy.
According to the ministry, the discussions reinforce an investment-driven partnership between Nigeria and the United States that seeks to promote sustainable mineral development while expanding local value addition.
The ministry said the shared objective is to encourage long-term economic growth through increased Solid Minerals Investment, improved mineral processing capacity and stronger cooperation across the mining sector.
The collaboration is expected to support greater participation by the US private sector through equity investment, technical assistance and technology transfer into Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Officials said the partnership is intended to strengthen Solid Minerals Investment by supporting the development of the country’s untapped mineral deposits while encouraging sustainable industry growth.
The ministry added that continued cooperation between both countries is expected to advance Solid Minerals Investment across exploration, mining, processing and refining activities, contributing to long-term development of Nigeria’s mining industry.