- Chinese firms have invested over $1.3 billion in Nigeria’s lithium processing sector since 2023.
- Reforms and digital systems improve transparency, efficiency, and investor confidence in mining.
Chinese investment in Nigeria’s lithium sector has reached $1.3 billion since President Bola Tinubu’s administration began in 2023. This surge reflects China’s growing interest in Nigeria’s mineral resources and its rising role in economic diversification.
Speaking at the 2025 China Mining Conference in Tianjin, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, confirmed this progress. He said Chinese companies are rapidly expanding within Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
According to him, firms such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria, and Asba have jointly invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing. Their projects are helping Nigeria strengthen its mining base and industrial growth.
These investments have boosted Nigeria’s diversification drive. They have also built local capacity in mineral development and increased joint ventures between Chinese and Nigerian companies. Consequently, more local engineers and technicians are gaining practical experience, while domestic processing continues to expand.
Furthermore, the government has introduced reforms to attract new investors and simplify operations. It has created Mining Marshals and satellite monitoring systems to stop illegal mining and protect licensed operators. In addition, it launched digital platforms such as the Electronic Mining Cadastre (eMC+) and the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision System (NMRDS). These systems improve efficiency, transparency, and investor confidence.
Dr Alake, who also chairs the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional collaboration. He explained that shared governance and regional Centres of Excellence in Geosciences will help Africa unlock its mineral potential.
Despite limited funding, Nigeria’s solid minerals sector continues to thrive. In 2024, it generated more than ₦38 billion, a considerable increase from ₦6 billion the previous year. The government’s policy mandating local mineral processing before export has also driven this growth.
With ongoing reforms, substantial Chinese investment in Nigeria’s lithium sector, and new processing plants, Nigeria is set to build a globally competitive mineral value chain. This will promote clean energy goals, industrial development, and job creation.