Nigeria and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address critical challenges in the mining sector, including the remediation of over 2,000 abandoned mining pits. The agreement aims to promote sustainable mining practices, reduce environmental impact, and diversify the critical minerals value chain in both countries.
Key aspects of the partnership include collaborative research, training, and student exchanges to enhance knowledge transfer, as well as co-financed projects to secure mineral supplies and decarbonize energy initiatives. The MoU also prioritizes transparency, environmental rehabilitation, and improving the livelihoods of communities affected by mining activities.
Signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to France, the agreement was lauded by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, as a step towards making Nigeria’s mining sector internationally competitive and attracting French investment.
