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.
