Abuja: Hot on the heels of Nigeria's unveiling of a strategic roadmap designed to convert the country's mineral wealth into investments in clean energy manufacturing and domestic value addition, the organisers of the Nigeria Mining Week conference and expo have revealed this year's packed and topical programme. Convening at the Abuja Continental Hotel from 13 to 14 October, this longstanding mining gathering supports Nigeria's ambition to become a regional refining and processing powerhouse. The theme of this year's event is "Unlocking Investment and Growth through Partnerships."
According to African Press Organization, the Nigerian government has focused on boosting beneficiation and industrialisation in its mining sector by mandating local processing, opening large-scale mineral plants, and unveiling strategic roadmaps linking critical minerals to clean energy manufacturing. Recent initiatives target lithium, copper, and bauxite, aiming to move beyond raw exports and build integrated value chains. Earlier this month, the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South presented a Critical Minerals Roadmap to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, outlining strategies to harness Nigeria's resources to strengthen local industries and draw investment into green manufacturing.
Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director of the Mining Portfolio at VUKA Group, stated that Nigeria Mining Week is perfectly timed for this defining moment in the nation's mining sector. The new Critical Minerals Forum will focus on minerals needed for the global energy transition, such as lithium, rare earth elements, graphite, copper, and other battery or tech minerals, discussing how Nigeria must position itself to attract investment and unlock expanding opportunities.
The Nigeria Mining Week programme includes significant sessions such as the Critical Minerals Forum, which will explore strategic leadership in the critical minerals race and building reliable pathways to global battery, magnet, and EV markets. The forum will also cover exploration and geological data, financing and investment, industrialisation, development of Nigeria's gemstone value chains, policy, regulation, governance, ESG and sustainability, and infrastructure and power integration.
Nigeria Mining Week has become a key gathering for mining pioneers and suppliers over the last 11 years. This year's event will gather over 3,000 attendees, 75 world-class speakers, and 150 exhibitors and solution providers. Countries expected to have a strong presence include the UK, EU, US, China, UAE, Canada, South Africa, and India. The conference and expo are organised by the Miners Association of Nigeria, in partnership with PwC, VUKA Group, and Mining Review Africa, with the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development as official host. NEITI is the event's transparency partner.