Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Solid Minerals Development Fund of Nigeria (SMDF) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at derisking Nigeria’s mining sector and scaling up artisanal miners in the country. This collaboration will address the lack of expertise and funding for early-stage mining projects, providing investment opportunities and project development support. AFC and SMDF have also engaged Wood Mackenzie to assess the feasibility of establishing a midstream processing plant in Nigeria. This partnership is a pivotal step toward harnessing Nigeria’s mineral wealth and positioning the nation as a key player in the global mining industry.