As part of efforts to bolster Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Marc Fonbaustier, reaffirmed that France remains a formidable ally in the country’s mining development agenda. During a courtesy call on the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, the Ambassador stressed that France is fully committed to supporting Nigeria’s mining roadmap with a keen interest in tangible investments.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Fonbaustier declared, “France is fully committed to supporting Nigeria’s mining roadmap,” emphasizing that this partnership is pivotal to driving progress in the rapidly evolving solid minerals sector.
In his response, Dr. Alake acknowledged France’s frontline position among prospective stakeholders. “France has shown enthusiasm, commitment, and readiness to implement tangible projects,” he noted, adding that the long-standing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and France will be further enhanced “through key initiatives in the solid minerals sector backed by clear timelines.”
According to a release by Segun Tomori, FSCA Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the Minister further underscored the importance of continued engagement with French stakeholders to identify serious investors and refine collaborative areas in line with the earlier signed memorandum of understanding.
The Minister reiterated that the core agenda of President Tinubu’s policy initiatives is the diversification of the economy, with solid minerals development taking center stage. He highlighted the imperative of sustained engagement with the French team to concretize partnerships and fine-tune areas of collaboration.
It will be recalled that Nigeria and France signed an MOU late last year, following President Tinubu’s state visit to France, to jointly promote and diversify the critical minerals value chain with emphasis on technical assistance, capacity building, and remediation of abandoned pits.
Corroborating the Ambassador’s remarks, the Deputy Head of the Regional Economic Department at the French Embassy, Carole Libreton, expressed France’s readiness to fund projects within the mining sector and collaborate with the ministry to mobilize French companies for further development of the mining value chain.
Accompanying Ambassador Fonbaustier on his visit were Florent Mangin, Head of the Regional Economic Department, and Deputy Head, Regional Economic Department, Carole Lebreton.
