FG woos German firms to revive Nigeria’s steel

FILE: Prince Shuaibu Audu

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to attract German technology and investment into Nigeria’s steel industry, with a focus on mineral processing, equipment manufacturing, technology transfer and the development of local industrial value chains.

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, stated this when he received a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers led by the Head of VDMA-German OEMs, Chux Onaa, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Audu stated this in a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ijomah Opia, on Friday, noting that the engagement was aimed at converting previous discussions between Nigeria and Germany into concrete investment and industrial partnerships.

He recalled that both countries had explored opportunities in steel development, mining, mineral processing, engineering and technology transfer during engagements at the 9th German-African Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany, earlier in the year.

The minister said the German delegation’s visit showed growing interest in Nigeria’s industrial sector, adding that the government was ready to work with German companies to develop 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.”

Audu identified modern technology deployment, equipment manufacturing and supply, mineral processing, steel production, engineering services, capacity development and technology transfer as areas where German companies could collaborate with Nigeria.

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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.”

According to the minister, stronger collaboration with German manufacturers would help Nigeria build local value chains and reduce dependence on imported equipment and technologies.

He described the visit as an important milestone in efforts by both countries to establish a high-technology industrial partnership, expressing optimism that the discussions would result in specific areas of collaboration and investment.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, said the engagement was consistent with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that President Bola Tinubu created the Ministry of Steel Development to accelerate the revitalisation of the sector.

Earlier, Onaa said the delegation was in Nigeria to consolidate existing discussions on investment and collaboration in the steel sector. He said German OEMs had technologies that could support the processing of raw materials for industries, including cement and building materials.

The engagement comes as Nigeria seeks to revive its steel industry as part of broader efforts to expand manufacturing, create jobs, deepen local processing of mineral resources and diversify the economy away from dependence on crude oil.

Germany, with its strong industrial manufacturing base, has long been a major source of engineering technology and industrial equipment, making German manufacturers potential partners in Nigeria’s drive to build domestic industrial capacity.