Nigeria is positioning its abundant mineral resources as a catalyst for industrial transformation following the unveiling of a critical minerals roadmap designed to support green industrialisation, expand local manufacturing and reduce reliance on raw mineral exports. The roadmap, developed by the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South, was presented to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s role in the global clean energy economy.
Presented on the sidelines of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026), the roadmap outlines strategies for converting Nigeria’s rich deposits of lithium, copper and bauxite into investments that support domestic manufacturing and industrial development.
The report recommends expanding mineral beneficiation, encouraging local processing and building integrated value chains capable of producing clean energy technologies within Nigeria. The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s objective of moving beyond the export of unprocessed minerals toward higher-value industrial production that creates jobs and strengthens economic diversification.
Receiving the report, Alake said the critical minerals roadmap provides a practical policy framework for linking Nigeria’s mineral resources with the country’s growing clean energy ambitions. According to the minister, the report analyses domestic demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery energy storage technologies and electric vehicles, while assessing existing supply and trade patterns. He said the findings confirm that Nigeria possesses the strategic minerals required to support both its energy transition and domestic industrial expansion.
“By mapping domestic demand, supply and trade patterns, this report provides mineral-specific policy pathways to leverage Nigeria’s resources for our own green industrialisation,” Alake said.
Alake explained that the report would guide future policy reforms aimed at increasing mineral beneficiation and expanding value addition within Nigeria.
According to him, stronger links between the mining sector and manufacturing industries would enable the country to retain more value from its natural resources instead of exporting raw minerals with limited economic returns. He noted that developing local processing industries would strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base while creating employment opportunities and supporting sustainable economic growth.
Market analysts believe the strategy could improve Nigeria’s attractiveness to international investors seeking dependable sources of critical minerals used in batteries and renewable energy technologies.
Growing global demand for battery metals and clean energy manufacturing is expected to increase competition for reliable mineral supply chains, placing resource-rich countries such as Nigeria in a stronger strategic position. Industry experts say establishing domestic processing capacity could allow Nigeria to capture greater value from global energy transition investments.
The roadmap’s next implementation phase will include the development of a mineral-to-manufacturing localisation roadmap, designed to connect mineral extraction with domestic industrial production. Other planned initiatives include promoting South-South investment partnerships and strengthening collaboration with local stakeholders to accelerate green industrialisation projects across the country.
The Federal Government expects the critical minerals roadmap to reinforce Nigeria’s position in the rapidly expanding global critical minerals market while transforming the mining sector into a stronger contributor to industrial growth, export earnings and non-oil foreign exchange revenues.
