Nigeria, Germany Deepen Talks on Steel, Technology Transfer

Nigeria and Germany are deepening economic cooperation, with renewed discussions on steel production, technology transfer, skills development and investment in Nigeria’s industrial sector.

The discussions formed part of high-level engagements between Nigerian officials and German industrial stakeholders as the Federal Government seeks to attract long-term investment into the country’s steel and minerals value chain.

Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, highlighted the opportunities during the Nigeria-German Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany.

Audu said Nigeria was seeking credible partners to support the transition from a raw-materials exporter to a value-adding industrial economy.

He identified steel and aluminium production, mineral beneficiation, industrial infrastructure and technology transfer as key areas for cooperation.

Nigeria has an estimated annual steel utilisation of about $10 billion, according to the minister, while the country also possesses substantial deposits of iron ore and other minerals that could support domestic manufacturing and exports.

Audu said investment opportunities extended beyond steel production to infrastructure needed to support industrial development, including power, rail, gas and port facilities.

Technology and knowledge transfer were also highlighted as important components of the proposed partnerships, particularly in developing the technical capacity of Nigerian professionals and strengthening local manufacturing expertise.

During the engagements, Nigerian officials also held discussions with German steel producer Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann, known as HKM, on potential investment and cooperation in modern steel production.

The discussions covered efficient and sustainable manufacturing, technology transfer, capacity building and the development of Nigeria’s steel industry.

German stakeholders expressed interest in exploring areas of cooperation with Nigeria, while Nigerian officials stressed the government’s commitment to creating an investment environment capable of supporting long-term industrial partnerships.

The broader Nigeria-Germany relationship also covers energy, infrastructure, technology, education and skills development. Both countries have continued to expand economic and development cooperation through government consultations and private-sector engagements.

The Federal Government is seeking to use such partnerships to reduce dependence on imported industrial products, increase local value addition and create employment.

The steel sector remains central to those ambitions because of its potential links with construction, manufacturing, transportation, infrastructure and other industrial activities.

The latest discussions therefore reflect Nigeria’s wider push to attract foreign investment while building domestic technical capacity and expanding industrial production through partnerships with international companies.