The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation between Nigeria and Germany, particularly in steel development, technology transfer, mineral processing and equipment manufacturing.
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, stated this while receiving a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) led by Dr. Chux Onaa, Head, VDMA-German Original Equipment Manufacturers at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The minister described the visit as an important step towards translating the understanding reached during previous engagements between Nigeria and Germany into concrete areas of industrial collaboration and investment.
He recalled the productive engagements held at the 9th German-African Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany, earlier in the year, which provided an opportunity for both countries to explore areas of mutual interest in steel value chain development, mining, mineral processing, engineering, technology transfer and industrial investment.
Audu, in a statement issued on Friday said the presence of the German delegation in Nigeria demonstrated the growing interest of German industries in the country’s industrial sector and presents an opportunity to build sustainable partnerships that will deliver tangible benefits to both nations.
He stressed that Nigeria possesses significant mineral and metallurgical raw material resources, alongside a large and growing market with substantial opportunities for industrial development.
The minister emphasised that the federal government 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.
He further identified key areas for potential collaboration, including the deployment of modern technologies, equipment manufacturing and supply, mineral processing, steel production, engineering services, capacity development, technology transfer and the development of local value chains.
Earlier, Onaa stated that the VDMA-German Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) visit to the ministry was to enable them to consolidate on areas of collaboration and investment for the development of the steel sector in Nigeria.
He added that the organisation has the technology to support raw materials processing in the cement and building materials industry.