France has once more stated its strong commitment to partnering with Nigeria in the development of its solid minerals sector, strengthening the bilateral ties between both nations.
During a recent courtesy visit to Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, reaffirmed France’s keen interest in investing in the country’s rapidly evolving mining industry. According to a statement from the ministry, the ambassador emphasized France’s readiness to support Nigeria’s roadmap for mining development and explore new investment opportunities in the sector.
Responding to the ambassador, Minister Dele Alake acknowledged France’s active role as a key prospective stakeholder in the solid minerals sector. He highlighted the enthusiasm, commitment, and readiness that France has demonstrated toward executing tangible mining projects.
He further noted that the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and France will be further strengthened through concrete initiatives in the solid minerals sector, backed by clear goals and well-defined timelines.
Minister Alake reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has prioritized economic diversification, with solid minerals development playing a critical role in this strategy. To this end, he stressed the importance of continued engagement with the French delegation to identify serious investors and refine areas of collaboration based on an earlier signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU, which was formalized during President Tinubu’s state visit to France last year, aims to drive joint projects focused on the promotion and expansion of Nigeria’s critical minerals value chain. Key areas of cooperation include technical assistance, capacity building, and addressing environmental concerns such as the remediation of abandoned mining sites.
Echoing the ambassador’s remarks, Carole Libreton, Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department, reaffirmed France’s willingness to provide funding for mining projects. She emphasized that France is committed to collaborating with Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development to facilitate investment from French companies and support the growth of Nigeria’s mining value chain.
This renewed partnership signals a significant step toward fostering foreign investment, enhancing Nigeria’s mining infrastructure, and unlocking the country’s vast mineral potential.
