*Photo: Governor Uba Sani(middle) at the signing of the MoUs *
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has signed two landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at $500 million with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) to unlock the state’s solid minerals potential and drive industrial transformation.
The agreements were formalized on
Sunday, 26th July, 2026,
during a high-level strategic engagement at the Government House in Kaduna, where Governor Sani received the President and CEO of the AFC, Mallam Samaila Zubairu.
The first MoU, between the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Kaduna Mining Development Company (KMDC), 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, involving KMDC, AFC and the Jema’a Resource Project (JRP), 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.
The Governor said the agreements would develop strategic mining assets and advance the Gidan Waya project to commercial production.
He also described the discovery of Platinum Group Metals and other critical minerals as a defining milestone for Kaduna’s economy.
Governor Sani welcomed commendations from AFC, Anka Metals and the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, which recognised Kaduna as the first state-owned mining company to partner with AFC and the first state to engage NGSA throughout mineral exploration.
According to him, “During our discussions, I reaffirmed our administration’s unwavering commitment to positioning Kaduna State as Nigeria’s premier destination for investment through bold reforms, improved security, strong institutions and responsible resource development. The confirmation of commercially significant deposits of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), alongside gold, lithium, nickel, copper, cobalt, silver and rare earth elements, represents a defining moment in our quest to diversify the economy, deepen industrialisation and create sustainable prosperity for our people.”
Governor Sani added that “I was particularly encouraged by Mallam Samaila Zubairu’s affirmation that Kaduna is building the right institutional foundations to attract long-term investment, drive industrial growth and unlock inclusive economic opportunities.
“I also appreciate the Chief Executive Officer of Anka Metals, Mr. Nere Emiko, for recognising Kaduna State’s foresight and consistency in mineral exploration, noting that we are the first state-owned mining company in Nigeria to secure an exploration and development partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation.
“Equally gratifying was the commendation by the Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), who noted that Kaduna State is the first state in Nigeria to actively engage the Agency throughout the resource discovery and exploration process. He praised our transparent, accountable and science-driven approach to mineral exploration, describing it as a model worthy of emulation across the Federation.”
He stressed that “As we embark on this transformative partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation, I invite investors, development finance institutions and industry leaders to join us in unlocking Kaduna State’s immense mineral wealth, developing world-class mining infrastructure, promoting local value addition and building globally competitive industries that will create jobs, expand opportunities and deliver lasting prosperity for our people.”
