Nigeria, Germany deepen talks on steel, technology transfer

The Federal Government of Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to attract German technology and investment into the country's steel industry, placing emphasis on mineral processing, equipment manufacturing, technology transfer, and the development of local industrial value chains. This was disclosed by the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, during a meeting with a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) led by the Head of VDMA-German OEMs, Chux Onaa.

The interaction took place at the ministry's headquarters in Abuja, following previous discussions between the two nations at the 9th German-African Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany earlier in the year. Audu highlighted that Nigeria possesses substantial mineral and metallurgical raw material resources, alongside a burgeoning market with significant prospects for industrial development.

He expressed the government's commitment to establishing a competitive, technology-driven, and sustainable steel industry that can contribute to infrastructure development, job creation, and economic diversification. Audu further emphasized the potential for German companies to collaborate in ongoing and emerging projects within Nigeria's steel and metallurgical sectors, particularly in modern technology deployment, equipment manufacturing, supply, mineral processing, steel production, engineering services, capacity development, and technology transfer.

He underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration with German manufacturers to build local value chains and reduce dependence on imported equipment and technologies. Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, noted that the engagement aligns with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda, which was established by President Bola Tinubu to accelerate the revitalization of the steel sector.

The visit by the German delegation is seen as a significant milestone in efforts to establish a high-technology industrial partnership between the two countries, with the aim of converting previous discussions into concrete investment and industrial partnerships.