Alake highlights $1.3bn Chinese investment, woos global mining investors

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has urged global investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector, describing the country as Africa’s most attractive destination for mineral investment.

Speaking at the China Mining Conference in Tianjin, Alake highlighted recent security and digital reforms — including the deployment of Mining Marshals, satellite monitoring, and the Electronic Mining Cadastre (EMC+) — aimed at improving transparency and investor confidence.

He revealed that Chinese firms have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing since 2023, following agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 state visit to China.

Alake, who also chairs the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), said Nigeria is working to strengthen regional cooperation, expand exploration financing through the Solid Minerals Development Fund, and promote responsible mining that supports clean energy and job creation.

He assured investors of improved security, a stable policy environment, and attractive incentives.