ABUJA – The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has disclosed that Chinese companies have invested $1.3 billion in Nigeria’s lithium processing sector since 2023.
Alake made this known while speaking at the 2025 China Mining Conference in Tianjin, themed “Connect and Collaborate, Co-Build and Co-Share,” according to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.
The minister said companies such as Canmax Technology, Jiuling Lithium, Avatar New Energy Nigeria Company, and Asba have made significant investments in lithium processing, boosting Nigeria’s drive for economic diversification and reducing dependence on oil.
“Since September 2023, Chinese companies have invested over $1.3 billion in lithium processing.
“These investments have enhanced infrastructure, technology transfer, and local expertise,” Alake stated.
He said joint ventures between Chinese and Nigerian firms were strengthening local capacities among engineers and technicians.
The minister urged more investors to key into reforms in the solid minerals sector, which, he said, now offer higher returns, improved security, and ease of doing business.
He highlighted reforms such as the deployment of Mining Marshals and satellite monitoring systems to curb illegal mining and protect licensed operators, as well as the introduction of the Electronic Mining Cadastre (eMC+) and the Nigerian Mineral Resources Decision System (NMRDS) to facilitate online transactions and transparency.
Alake, who also chairs the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building a globally competitive value chain for mineral processing, supporting clean energy transition, job creation, and responsible mining.
He said that the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) would continue to finance early-stage exploration and de-risk investments, while regional Centres of Excellence in Geosciences and Mining Skills would be strengthened.
“We warmly invite investors, development partners, and technical institutions to explore Nigeria’s vast opportunities in minerals such as lithium, gold, lead-zinc, barite, and rare earth elements,” Alake said.
“Our vision is not only to extract minerals but to build a sustainable and competitive value chain that drives industrial growth and economic transformation,” he added.
