By Becky Momodu
Nigeria and Germany are set to deepen industrial cooperation in steel production, mineral processing, technology transfer and equipment manufacturing as the Federal Government seeks to attract German investment into the country’s steel and metallurgical sectors.
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The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, stated this on Thursday, September 24, 2026, when he received a delegation of German Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), led by the Head of VDMA-German Original Equipment Manufacturers, Dr. Chux Onaa, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Audu described the visit as an important step towards translating previous engagements between Nigeria and Germany into concrete areas of industrial collaboration and investment.
He recalled engagements at the 9th German-African Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany, earlier in the year, where both countries explored opportunities in steel value chain development, mining, mineral processing, engineering, technology transfer and industrial investment.
The Minister said the presence of the German delegation in Nigeria demonstrated growing interest by German industries in the country’s industrial sector and offered an opportunity to establish sustainable partnerships that would deliver tangible benefits to both countries.
According to him, Nigeria has significant mineral and metallurgical raw material resources, as well as a large and growing market capable of supporting expanded industrial development.
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He said the Ministry of Steel Development was 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 key areas for potential collaboration.
He also expressed the ministry’s interest in having German OEMs participate in ongoing and emerging projects within Nigeria’s steel and metallurgical sectors.
The Minister expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to specific areas of collaboration and partnerships capable of strengthening industrial development in both countries.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Nura Abba Rimi, said the visit aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the administration’s efforts to revitalise the steel sector as a foundation for Nigeria’s industrialisation.
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Speaking earlier, Onaa said the VDMA-German OEMs delegation visited the ministry to consolidate areas of collaboration and investment in the development of Nigeria’s steel sector.
He added that the organisation had the technology to support raw materials processing in the cement and building materials industries.