Dele Alake, Nigeria’s minister of Solid Minerals Development, has announced that Chinese companies have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing projects across Nigeria, underscoring growing Chinese interest and confidence in the country’s mining sector reforms.
Speaking at the China Mining Conference in Tianjin, with the theme “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share,” Alake said the investments represent a major boost to Nigeria’s economic diversification drive and a testament to the success of ongoing policy and security reforms in the solid minerals sector.
“Since September 2023, when this administration assumed office, Chinese companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Company, and Asba have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing,” Alake stated.
“These investments have strengthened Nigeria’s economic diversification, reduced dependence on oil, and promoted infrastructure, technology transfer, and local skills development.”
The minister attributed the surge in Chinese investments to improved investor confidence following reforms initiated under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during the President’s state visit to China in 2024.
Alake highlighted recent structural and technological reforms that have transformed the ease of doing business in Nigeria’s mining sector. These include the deployment of Mining Marshals and a satellite-based mine monitoring system to combat illegal mining and protect licensed operators.
He also cited the introduction of digital platforms such as the Electronic Mining Cadastre (EMC+), the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision System (NMRDS), and upgraded ministry websites as tools that facilitate global remote transactions and enhance transparency.
As chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Alake emphasised Nigeria’s leadership in promoting continental cooperation on mineral exploration and governance standards.
He called for shared African systems of knowledge and regulation to ensure that mineral wealth translates into sustainable development across the continent.
Alake reaffirmed plans to strengthen regional Centres of Excellence in Geosciences and Mining Skills and expand the role of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) and SMDF–AFC Facility to support early-stage exploration and de-risk investments.
“We invite investors, development partners, and technical institutions to explore Nigeria’s vast mineral opportunities — lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth elements,” he said.
“Our government guarantees a conducive investment climate, improved security of tenure, and incentives that ensure mutual benefit.”
He added that Nigeria’s long-term vision goes beyond extraction — aiming to build a globally competitive mineral value chain that supports the clean energy transition, job creation, and industrial growth, anchored on responsible mining practices.
At a technical session on “Mining in Africa and Policy,” Olusegun Omoniyi Ige, director-general of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), showcased Nigeria’s National Mineral Resources Data System (NMRDS) and extensive aeromagnetic and geochemical datasets as robust tools for exploration.
Ige noted that while Nigeria’s geological knowledge has significantly expanded, increased investment is needed to convert existing data into proven mineral reserves.
Other notable speakers included Xu Xueyi, deputy director-general, China Geological Survey; Mohamed Ahmed Taha, minister of Minerals, Sudan; Phumzile Mgcina, deputy minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, South Africa; and Joseph Lebbie, director-general of Geological Exploration, Sierra Leone.
