France has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s mining sector development, with French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier pledging continued collaboration on the country’s mining roadmap.
During a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, in Abuja, Fonbaustier expressed France’s strong interest in investing in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding solid minerals sector.
A statement from the minister’s senior special assistant on media, Segun Tomori, quoted Fonbaustier as saying that France remains a “formidable ally” in Nigeria’s quest to develop its mining industry.
Alake welcomed France’s enthusiasm and commitment, noting that the country has taken a leading position among stakeholders interested in the sector. He expressed confidence that the long-standing bilateral relationship between both nations would be further strengthened through concrete mining initiatives with clear timelines.
He also emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda places significant focus on solid minerals development. The minister stressed the need for ongoing engagement with French stakeholders to identify serious investors and finalise key areas of collaboration under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last year.
The MoU, which followed President Tinubu’s state visit to France, focuses on the joint promotion and diversification of Nigeria’s critical minerals value chain, with emphasis on technical assistance, capacity building, and rehabilitation of abandoned mining sites.
Corroborating the ambassador’s remarks, Carole Libreton, Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department at the French Embassy, reaffirmed France’s readiness to fund mining projects and mobilise French companies to contribute to Nigeria’s mining value chain.
Fonbaustier was accompanied by the French Embassy’s Head of Regional Economic Department, Florent Mangin, and Libreton during the visit.
