Indigenous women miners partner with AFA Initiative to transform Nigeria's mining sector
The Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resources Organisation (NIWIMNRO) and the Africans for Africa (AFA) Initiative signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 29 at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026.
The partnership aims to make mining investments socially responsible and gender-responsive, focusing on artisanal and small-scale miners who are often excluded from industry benefits. Under the agreement, NIWIMNRO will advise AFA on community development projects and help formalize Nigeria's informal mining sector.
Key initiatives include organizing indigenous women miners into cooperatives, establishing mineral aggregation hubs for lithium, gold, and tin, and implementing health, education, and WASH programs funded through mining royalties. These efforts target underserved mining communities that rarely see tangible returns from extraction activities.
The three-year agreement includes quarterly Joint Steering Committee meetings to monitor progress. AFA committed to prioritizing projects using NIWIMNRO's cooperative model and investing in processing facilities that create local economic opportunities.
Women miners and host communities across Nigeria may gain improved market access, technical support, and direct benefits from mining investments. Registration details for cooperative participation were not specified in the announcement.