ABUJA — The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of the United States of America have signed a high-level mineral investment agreement designed to unlock capital, facilitate technology transfer, and secure supply chains for critical energy-transition minerals.
The bilateral agreement was formally executed on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in Abuja by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, alongside senior diplomatic representatives and energy envoys from the United States Department of State.
Under the terms of the accord, the United States will support the deployment of institutional investment funds and technical expertise into Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. The initiative focuses on expanding commercial extraction and processing facilities for high-value industrial minerals—including lithium, nickel, cobalt, rare earth elements, and iron ore—which form the primary components of electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy storage systems, and advanced technology manufacturing.
A core component of the agreement mandates the establishment of joint-venture processing plants and value-addition hubs within Nigeria, directly aligning with the Federal Government’s policy prohibiting the raw export of unprocessed mineral ores. In exchange, US industrial firms gain direct access to long-term supply partnerships and off-take frameworks.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Dele Alake stated that the partnership represents a decisive shift from historical extractive trade models toward local value creation, industrialization, and employment generation for young Nigerians. He noted that the federal government will provide transparent regulatory structures, security guarantees, and geological data to ensure seamless operations for foreign investors.
US diplomatic representatives reiterated that the agreement reflects Washington’s commitment to building diversified, resilient global supply chains for critical minerals while strengthening bilateral economic ties with Nigeria. The partnership is expected to attract significant private-sector investment over the next five years and accelerate the formalization of Nigeria’s mining sector.
