The Federal Government is seeking deeper collaboration with German manufacturers to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s steel industry through technology transfer, mineral processing and local equipment production.
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, disclosed this on Thursday when he hosted a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers led by the Head of VDMA-German OEMs, Chux Onaa, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
A statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ijomah Opia, said the meeting was focused on translating previous discussions between Nigeria and Germany into tangible investments and industrial partnerships.
Audu recalled that the two countries had discussed opportunities in steel production, mining, mineral processing, engineering and technology transfer during the 9th German-African Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany, earlier in the year.
He said the delegation’s visit reflected increasing interest in Nigeria’s industrial sector and reaffirmed the government’s willingness to partner with German firms to strengthen the country’s steel and metallurgical industries.
He said, “Nigeria possesses significant mineral and metallurgical raw material resources, alongside a large and growing market with substantial opportunities for industrial development. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Steel Development, is committed to creating an enabling environment for a competitive, technology-driven and sustainable steel industry capable of supporting infrastructure development, manufacturing, job creation and economic diversification.”
The minister listed equipment manufacturing and supply, modern technology deployment, mineral processing, steel production, engineering services, capacity development and technology transfer among areas open for collaboration with German companies.
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He added, “We are particularly interested in exploring opportunities for German Original Equipment Manufacturers to participate in ongoing and emerging projects within Nigeria’s steel and metallurgical sectors.”
Audu said stronger partnerships with German manufacturers would support the development of domestic industrial value chains and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported machinery and technology.
He described the engagement as a significant step towards building a high-technology industrial partnership between both countries, expressing hope that the discussions would produce concrete investment and collaboration opportunities.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, said the engagement aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that President Bola Tinubu established the Ministry of Steel Development to accelerate the sector’s revitalisation.
Speaking earlier, Onaa said the German delegation’s visit was aimed at advancing existing discussions on investment and cooperation in Nigeria’s steel industry.
He noted that German OEMs possess technologies capable of supporting the processing of raw materials for industries such as cement and building materials.
The engagement comes amid renewed government efforts to revive Nigeria’s steel sector, expand manufacturing, create employment, strengthen domestic processing of mineral resources and reduce the economy’s reliance on crude oil.
Germany’s established manufacturing and engineering sector makes its industrial equipment producers potential partners in Nigeria’s efforts to expand domestic industrial capacity.