By Abigail David
Nigeria is seeking to harness its vast critical mineral resources to drive industrialisation and clean energy manufacturing following the unveiling of a new strategic roadmap aimed at promoting local value addition and attracting investment.
The roadmap, presented by the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, outlines strategies for leveraging the country’s lithium, copper and bauxite deposits to expand domestic manufacturing, mineral beneficiation and green energy production.
The report was presented on the sidelines of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026) as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to reduce raw mineral exports and develop integrated value chains that support job creation, industrial growth and the energy transition.
Receiving the report, Alake described it as a practical policy framework for aligning Nigeria’s clean energy goals with its mineral resources. He said the roadmap analyses domestic demand for solar photovoltaic systems, battery energy storage and electric vehicles alongside existing supply and trade patterns.
According to the minister, the findings confirm that Nigeria has the critical minerals needed to support its green energy ambitions while creating opportunities for local processing and manufacturing.
He added that the report would guide reforms aimed at strengthening mineral beneficiation, increasing local value addition and building stronger links between the mining and manufacturing sectors to ensure greater economic returns from the country’s natural resources.
The next phase of the initiative will focus on developing a mineral-to-manufacturing localisation roadmap, promoting South-South investment partnerships and expanding collaboration with local stakeholders to accelerate green industrialisation projects.
The initiative is expected to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global critical minerals market while supporting the Federal Government’s goal of transforming the mining sector into a major source of industrial growth, exports and non-oil foreign exchange earnings.
