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 in the Nigerian capital from 13 to 14 October, this longstanding mining gathering of note 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, Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director - Mining Portfolio, VUKA Group, stated that the Nigerian government has sought to boost beneficiation and industrialisation in its mining sector by mandating local processing, opening large scale mineral plants and unveiling strategic roadmaps that link critical minerals to clean energy manufacturing. Recent initiatives focus on 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. The roadmap outlines strategies to harness Nigeria's lithium, copper, and bauxite resources to strengthen local industries, advance mineral beneficiation, and draw investment into green manufacturing.
Madlabane further added that Nigeria Mining Week is perfectly timed for this defining moment in the nation's mining sector. The new Critical Minerals Forum at the event will focus on the minerals needed for the global energy transition, such as lithium, REEs, graphite, copper, and other battery or tech minerals, and how Nigeria must position itself to attract serious investment and unlock the country's rapidly expanding opportunities.
The Nigeria Mining Week programme highlights include a Critical Minerals Forum on 13 October, focusing on positioning Nigeria with US and EU MSP initiatives and Asian cathode makers. It will emphasize ensuring bankable offtake term sheets, scaling REE projects responsibly, building infrastructure and traceability rules, and securing independent assurance to strengthen buyer confidence. Additionally, sessions will explore building reliable pathways from Nigeria to global battery, magnet, and EV markets by structuring long-term supply contracts, strengthening traceability and ESG documentation, and building credibility with partners across Asia, Europe, the US, and the Gulf.
Other sessions will delve into unlocking Nigeria's exploration potential through investment-grade datasets, AI-driven discovery, and geoscience portals, as well as financing exploration and junior mining companies. The industrialisation track will focus on strategies for commissioning Nigeria's lithium and gold projects, while the policy, regulation, and governance discussions will aim to build a clear, predictable, and competitive policy environment. The event will also address ESG and sustainability concerns, emphasizing evidence-grade traceability for US and EU buyers and global water and tailings practices.
Side events and forums returning to Nigeria Mining Week include The Gold Forum, The Steel and Industrial Minerals Forum, The Women in Extractive Industries Forum, The CEO Roundtable, and The Deal Room - Project Showcase and Private Capital Engagement. Over the last 11 years, Nigeria Mining Week has become the gathering place for many mining pioneers and suppliers. Titan Minerals Ltd returns as the diamond plus sponsor, with KMDC, Kursi, Lovol, Sinogrand, and XCMG signing up as diamond sponsors, and SMT Nigeria as a platinum sponsor.
The event will gather over 3,000 attendees, 75+ world-class speakers, and 150+ exhibitors and solution providers. Countries expected to have a strong presence with international pavilions include the UK, EU, US, China, UAE, Canada, South Africa, and India. The Nigeria Mining Week conference and expo is 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 the official host. NEITI is the event's transparency partner.