Nigeria: Women's Mining Group and AFA Forge Partnership for Inclusive Resource Governance

A strategic partnership between the Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resources Organisation (NIWIMNRO) and the Africans for Africa (AFA) Initiative aims to foster inclusive mining practices and ensure that resource extraction benefits local communities in Nigeria. The Memorandum of Understanding, signed last Wednesday at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026, establishes a framework for socially responsible and gender-responsive mining investments.

The collaboration aligns with AFA’s 51 percent African Benefit Mandate and the MADE Framework for Sustainable Resource Development, both designed to maximize local participation and shared prosperity from Africa's natural resources. Representatives from both organizations highlighted the shared commitment to transforming the mining sector into a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, with a specific focus on indigenous women and mining host communities who are often marginalized from industry benefits.

Under the agreement, NIWIMNRO will act as the lead strategic advisor to AFA on community development and social impact initiatives related to mining investments in Nigeria. This includes developing a comprehensive Community Development Agreement (CDA) Framework, designing social impact metrics, conducting baseline socio-economic assessments, and creating gender-responsive investment strategies. A key objective is to formalize and strengthen the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.

The partnership will also facilitate the organization of indigenous women miners into structured cooperatives, enabling them to engage in formal commercial arrangements and access new economic opportunities within the mining value chain. Furthermore, mineral aggregation hubs will be established for commodities like lithium, gold, and tin, integrating them into AFA-backed global supply chains. NIWIMNRO is also designated as AFA’s Official Implementation Partner for community projects in Nigeria, overseeing health, education, and WASH initiatives funded by mining royalties and serving as a liaison between investors and community leaders to maintain social license.