Nigeria Emerges Africa’s Minerals Hub As Gold, Lithium Plants Take Off – Alake

Nigeria is positioning itself as Africa’s leading minerals supply hub following the establishment of gold refining and lithium processing plants across the country, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has said.

Speaking during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, ahead of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Alake said Nigeria’s value-addition policy is already delivering results.

He disclosed that a high-purity gold refinery is operational in Lagos, three more are under development, while a $600 million lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State is ready for commissioning.

Alake noted that the investments place Nigeria as a strategic global partner in the supply of critical minerals needed for the green energy transition.

He stressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Saudi Arabia in areas such as capacity building, technology transfer, exploration, mineral traceability, ESG standards and mine-pit remediation.

He also revealed that a joint Nigeria–Saudi working group set up after the 2025 Future Minerals Forum has concluded its report, which is expected to be presented before the close of the current forum.

In his remarks, Al-Khorayef reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s strong ties with Nigeria and called for a practical, actionable agreement on solid minerals development.

He proposed the drafting of a memorandum of understanding and urged Nigeria to showcase mining investment opportunities to Saudi investors through the FMF platform.