NIWIMNRO, Africans for Africa Initiative partner to boost women’s participation in mining
The Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resource Organisation (NIWIMNRO) and the Africans for Africa (AFA) Initiative have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at promoting inclusive. . .
The Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resource Organisation (NIWIMNRO) and the Africans for Africa (AFA) Initiative have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at promoting inclusive mining practices, strengthening community development and expanding economic opportunities for women in Nigeria’s extractive sector. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed during the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit 2026 in Abuja, seeks to ensure that mining investments generate tangible social and economic benefits for host communities while increasing the participation of indigenous women in the industry. Under the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate on community development initiatives, gender-responsive investment strategies and programmes designed to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining operations across the country. The partnership is aligned with AFA’s 51 per cent African Benefit Mandate and the MADE Framework for Sustainable Resource Development, which aim to increase local participation and shared prosperity from Africa’s natural resources. Officials from both organisations said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to making the mining sector a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, particularly for women and mining communities that have historically benefited little from resource extraction activities. As part of the arrangement, NIWIMNRO will serve as AFA’s lead strategic adviser on community development and social impact programmes linked to mining investments in Nigeria. The organisation will help develop a Community Development Agreement framework, conduct socio-economic assessments of mining communities and design investment models that address the needs of vulnerable groups. A major component of the partnership will focus on strengthening the artisanal and small-scale mining sector by organising indigenous women miners into cooperatives capable of participating in formal commercial activities and accessing broader opportunities within the mining value chain. The two organisations also plan to establish mineral aggregation hubs for commodities including lithium, gold and tin. The facilities are expected to improve market access, provide technical support and connect local producers to AFA-backed global supply chains. In addition, NIWIMNRO has been designated as AFA’s official implementation partner for community-focused projects in Nigeria. The organisation will oversee health, education and water, sanitation and hygiene programmes financed through mining royalties, while serving as a bridge between investors and host communities. Speaking on the significance of the agreement, NIWIMNRO Executive Director, Felicia Dairo, described the partnership as a milestone in advancing gender-inclusive development in the mining sector. “This partnership demonstrates that mining investments can and should create value beyond mineral extraction. By intentionally integrating women into mining value chains and ensuring that host communities benefit from resource development, we can build a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous sector that works for everyone,” Dairo said. Through the agreement, AFA has committed to prioritising projects that incorporate NIWIMNRO’s cooperative model and support investments in value-addition infrastructure, including mineral processing facilities that can create jobs and expand economic opportunities for local miners. ALSO READ:Equities investors lose N958bn as sell-off deepens at NGXTo drive implementation, the partners will establish a Joint Steering Committee that will meet quarterly to monitor progress, evaluate outcomes and guide the execution of joint projects. The MoU will run for an initial three-year period, with provisions for renewal and expansion based on the performance and impact of the collaboration. Stakeholders say the partnership represents a significant step towards building a more equitable mining industry, one that places community development, local participation and women’s empowerment at the centre of Nigeria’s resource development agenda. WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TVBack to School, Back to Business A Fresh StartRelationship Hangout: Public vs Private Proposals – Which Truly Wins in Love?“No” Is a Complete Sentence: Why You Should Stop Feeling GuiltyRelationship Hangout: Friendship Talk 2025 – How to Be a Good Friend & Big Questions on FriendshipPolice Overpower Armed Robbers in Ibadan After Fierce StruggleGet real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel now