The Kaduna State Government has signed two landmark Memoranda of Understanding worth $500 million with the Africa Finance Corporation, AFC, to unlock the state’s solid minerals potential and drive sustainable economic transformation.
Governor Senator Uba Sani announced the agreements on Sunday, July 26, 2026, following a strategic engagement with AFC President and CEO, Mallam Samaila Zubairu, and his delegation in Kaduna.
The first MoU was signed between AFC and the Kaduna Mining Development Company, KMDC. It establishes a strategic framework for identifying, developing and financing high-potential mining assets across Kaduna State, while preserving the state’s ownership of its mineral resources.
The second MoU involves KMDC, AFC and the Jema’a Resource Project, JRP. It provides the pathway for advancing the Gidan Waya mining project in Jema’a Local Government Area from exploration to commercial production, leveraging AFC’s investment capacity and JRP’s technical expertise.
Governor Sani said the agreements mark a significant milestone in the administration’s drive to position Kaduna as Nigeria’s premier investment destination through bold reforms, improved security, strong institutions and responsible resource development.
He noted that commercially significant deposits of Platinum Group Metals, PGMs, have been confirmed in the state, alongside gold, lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt, silver and rare earth elements.
“This represents a defining moment in our quest to diversify the economy, deepen industrialisation and create sustainable prosperity for our people,” the Governor stated.
Mallam Zubairu affirmed that Kaduna is building the right institutional foundations to attract long-term investment and drive industrial growth.
CEO of Anka Metals, Mr. Nere Emiko, also commended the state, noting that Kaduna is the first state-owned mining company in Nigeria to secure an exploration and development partnership with AFC.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, NGSA, further praised Kaduna as the first state to actively engage the Agency throughout the resource discovery and exploration process. He described the state’s transparent, accountable and science-driven approach as a model worthy of emulation across the Federation.
Governor Sani said the partnership with AFC will focus on developing world-class mining infrastructure, promoting local value addition and building globally competitive industries that will create jobs and expand opportunities.
“I invite investors, development finance institutions and industry leaders to join us in unlocking Kaduna State’s immense mineral wealth and delivering lasting prosperity for our people,” he said.
