Lagos, Nigeria, 4 July 2026 – Adding value to mineral resources in Nigeria can both contribute to industrialization and job creation, and increase energy access across the country. This was the key message of this year’s 11th meeting of the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF). Representatives of Government, the Private Sector, Civil Society and Regional and International Organizations engaged in discussions to turn ideas to action, and shed light on tangible opportunities for the energy sector and beyond.
The forum featured the launch of an ECA and NEF report focusing on the opportunities in the country’s lithium sector. The report, “Lithium in Nigeria: enhancing sustainable production, processing and value addition”, focuses on Nigeria as a case study for the practical application of both the United Nations Resource Management System and Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy to promote lithium production and value addition.
The forum focused on the linkage between resource-based development, including Critical Energy Transition Minerals, and the generation and transmission of reliable energy, which is a priority for Nigeria. Renewable energy offers a strong complementary source of electricity for households as well as manufacturers, serving as a crucial input to industrialization.
Daniel Adeuyi, Chairman of NEF, stressed that this year’s forum is a call to action to add value to raw resources, converting them into finished products that can be sold domestically and abroad, helping to boost sustainable livelihoods, industrialization and jobs. He recognized the contribution of ECA to the forum.
The report is the culmination of collaborative work between ECA and NEF. It highlights the tools provided by both the United Nations and African Union to assist countries in assessing opportunities from mineral-based development, mapping global and regional frameworks against the policy landscape and current state of lithium mining in Nigeria. It concludes with recommendations to boost lithium processing and value-added linkages with the wider economy.
Speakers at the event warmly welcomed the launch of the report and its findings, noting the importance of value addition for economic and structural transformation in Nigeria.
It is envisioned that this report will guide future collaborations, engagements and consultations between ECA and Nigeria.
The report can be downloaded here OR here
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org