In the next few years, Nigeria is set to host the construction of the largest rare earth and critical minerals processing plant in Africa to add value to its mineral resources. The announcement was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Aleke, via his official account on the X platform.
According to the Minister, this ambitious project is being led by Hasetins Commodities Ltd, a company that will invest $400 million to set up the plant in Nasarawa State. "We have pledged our support for a foreign direct investment initiative to establish the largest rare earths and critical minerals processing plant in Africa," said Mr Aleke. He stressed that the project is expected to generate more than 10,000 jobs, promote a genuine transfer of skills and mark a significant step towards the local processing of Nigerian minerals.
The Minister also welcomed the alignment of this project with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision, which emphasises value creation and economic diversification. The Federal Government is committed to providing full institutional support to ensure the success of this initiative, which positions Nigeria as a key player in the exploitation of critical minerals.
Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earths play an essential role in the global energy transition. These resources are essential to the manufacture of clean technologies, including batteries for electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. With growing demand for these minerals, Africa, and Nigeria in particular, is attracting the attention of international investors. Nigeria, the continent's most populous country with a resource-rich subsoil, has significant reserves of these strategic minerals.
This project marks a decisive step for Nigeria in developing its natural resources. By processing its minerals locally, the country aims to reduce its dependence on raw exports and strengthen its economy. The Nasarawa plant should not only boost local employment, but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in the production of critical minerals.
Hasetins Commodities Ltd's decision to invest in Nigeria reflects growing investor confidence in the country's economic potential. By supporting this project, the Nigerian government is sending a strong signal about its commitment to promoting industrialisation and leveraging its resources to meet the world's clean technology needs.
This development comes at a time when the global race for critical minerals is intensifying, with major implications for energy security and the transition to a green economy. With this project, Nigeria is positioning itself as a key player in this strategic sector.