The Federal Government is seeking to deepen cooperation with German manufacturers to attract technology and investment into Nigeria’s steel industry, with emphasis on mineral processing, equipment manufacturing, technology transfer and the development of local industrial value chains.
The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, made this known on Thursday when he received a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), led by the Head of VDMA-German OEMs, Chux Onaa, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Audu’s remarks were contained in a statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ijomah Opia.
The minister said the meeting was aimed at moving earlier discussions between Nigeria and Germany beyond the talking stage and towards concrete investment and industrial partnerships.
He recalled that both countries had discussed opportunities in steel development, mining, mineral processing, engineering and technology transfer during the 9th German-African Economic Forum held in Dortmund, Germany, earlier this year.
Audu said the visit by the German delegation reflected increasing interest in Nigeria’s industrial sector, adding that the Federal Government was prepared to partner with German companies to strengthen the country’s steel and metallurgical industries.
He listed modern technology, equipment production and supply, mineral processing, steel manufacturing, engineering services, capacity building and technology transfer among areas where German companies could collaborate with Nigeria.
According to him, stronger partnerships with German manufacturers would help Nigeria develop local industrial value chains and reduce its dependence on imported machinery and technology.
The minister described the engagement as an important step towards establishing a high-technology industrial partnership between both countries. He expressed hope that the discussions would lead to specific investment opportunities and areas of collaboration.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, said the engagement was in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that President Bola Tinubu established the Ministry of Steel Development as part of efforts to accelerate the revival and growth of the steel sector.
Earlier, Onaa said the delegation came to Nigeria to build on existing discussions on investment and technical cooperation in the steel industry.
He explained that German OEMs possess technologies capable of supporting the processing of raw materials for several industries, including cement and building materials.
The engagement comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to revive its steel industry, expand manufacturing, create jobs and increase local processing of mineral resources as part of its broader economic diversification strategy.
Germany’s established industrial manufacturing base has made its engineering expertise and industrial equipment relevant to Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen domestic production capacity.
