Nigeria and South Africa have officially signed a landmark agreement aimed at strengthening mining cooperation between the two largest economies in Africa. 

The agreement, finalized during a high-level meeting in Abuja, is expected to boost collaboration in several strategic areas critical to the sustainable development of the mining sector.

Under the new deal, both countries will share geoscientific data, organize training programs in mineral processing, and jointly promote value addition initiatives to increase the economic benefits derived from raw minerals.

 A key highlight of the agreement includes capacity building in elemental fingerprinting, a technique essential for accurately tracing mineral origins and enhancing transparency in the mining value chain.

The pact also covers joint exploration of agro and energy minerals within Nigeria, reflecting a broader push to diversify Nigeria’s economy away from its traditional dependence on oil and gas revenues.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed optimism about the partnership. He described it as “a significant step towards unlocking the full potential of Nigeria's rich mineral resources, creating jobs, and driving industrialization across the continent.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who co-signed the agreement, emphasized the importance of intra-African cooperation.

 “Our collaboration in mining will set an example for other African nations to follow, showcasing how strategic partnerships can deliver prosperity for our people,” Ramaphosa stated.

This partnership is timely, as both nations seek to reposition their mining sectors amid global shifts toward green energy and sustainable resource management. Nigeria, in particular, has made solid minerals a key pillar of its economic diversification strategy, with recent reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and modernizing outdated mining infrastructure.

Industry analysts have welcomed the deal, noting that Nigeria stands to benefit from South Africa’s extensive experience and advanced technologies in mining operations.

 In turn, South African companies are expected to gain new opportunities in Nigeria’s relatively untapped mineral sectors, including lithium, gold, and rare earth elements vital for renewable energy technologies.

The agreement marks another significant milestone for African economic integration and development under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Negotiations for the agreement were coordinated by Nigeria’s Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, with strong backing from both presidents.

The coming months will see the establishment of joint technical committees to oversee the implementation of key projects outlined in the agreement.