Chinese Ambassador Outlines Four-Point Plan for China-Africa Mining Cooperation

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has called for stronger mining cooperation between China and African countries, urging greater African control over mineral resources, local processing, technology transfer and a fair investment environment.

In an opinion article titled “Implementing the Four-Point Proposition on Mining Cooperation to Write a New Chapter in China-Africa Common Development,” Yu said the proposal announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 13, 2026, was designed to guide mining cooperation between China and Africa.

Xi presented the four-point proposition during a meeting with Botswana’s President, Duma Gideon Boko, who was on a state visit to China.

According to Yu, the proposal reflects changes in the global critical minerals sector and Africa’s pursuit of independent economic development. He said it also reinforces the longstanding relationship between China and African countries.

Drawing on China-Nigeria mining relations, the ambassador said the proposal could help Nigeria and other African nations convert their mineral resources into broader economic benefits.

African Resources Must Benefit Africans

Yu said the first principle was that African mineral resources should remain under African control, describing resource sovereignty as an essential component of national sovereignty.

He argued that Africa had historically occupied the lower end of global industrial and value chains because of an unequal international division of labour.

According to him, China respects the right of African countries to determine their development priorities and is willing to share its experience in developing mining plans suited to their national circumstances.

He added that Nigeria and other African countries should retain control over decisions concerning their mineral resources and ensure that the benefits of extraction contribute to domestic development.

China Promises Mutual Benefits, Local Employment

The ambassador identified mutual benefit and shared development as the second pillar of the proposal.

He said China’s approach to mining cooperation with Africa was not based on maximising benefits for one side but on partnerships intended to deliver gains for both parties.

Yu maintained that Chinese companies operating in Nigeria’s energy and mining sectors contribute capital and technology while adopting local operating arrangements, training workers and supporting host communities.

He said the Chinese Embassy would continue encouraging Chinese companies in Nigeria to improve their operations, transfer green technologies, support community development, create employment and invest in skills development.

According to him, these measures would also strengthen cooperation among developing countries through South-South partnerships.

Ambassador Advocates Local Processing, Value Addition

Yu said the third principle was high-quality development, stressing the need for African countries to process more of their mineral resources locally rather than depend primarily on exporting raw materials.

He identified local processing, expanded industrial value chains and increased value addition as important ways to transform Africa’s mineral wealth into sustainable economic growth.

The ambassador said China intended to deepen the alignment between its 15th Five-Year Plan and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while supporting projects that would expand processing capacity and the production of higher-value goods.

He argued that such investments could help Nigeria develop a more diversified industrial base and reduce the risk of its mineral wealth failing to generate broad economic benefits.

China Opposes Politicisation of Mineral Resources

The fourth principle, according to Yu, is the need to maintain an open, fair and predictable environment for mining cooperation.

He warned against turning Africa’s mineral resources into instruments of geopolitical competition, arguing that politicising resource development could undermine African countries’ interests.

Yu said China supported open cooperation and fair competition, adding that Beijing was willing to work with Nigeria and other African partners to promote a stable business environment for mining investments.

He maintained that mineral resources should be developed to support economic growth and improve people’s welfare rather than serve as bargaining chips in geopolitical disputes.

China Says Illegal Mining Will Not Be Tolerated

The ambassador also addressed concerns surrounding the activities of Chinese nationals and companies in Nigeria’s mining industry.

He said the Chinese government required its companies and citizens in Nigeria to comply strictly with Nigerian laws and regulations.

Yu stated that China maintained a zero-tolerance position on illegal mining and other criminal activities, adding that Beijing supported Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen oversight of the mining sector.

He further claimed that the overwhelming majority of Chinese mining companies in Nigeria operated legally, fulfilled their social responsibilities and took steps to protect the environment.

Describing some allegations against Chinese mining operators as isolated or inaccurate, Yu argued that claims that exaggerate individual cases or distort facts could undermine China-Nigeria relations.

He said China was ready to work with Nigerian authorities to improve regulatory compliance, combat illegal mining and promote transparency across the sector.

Ambassador Highlights China-Africa Cooperation Framework

Yu said platforms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation continued to provide institutional support for relations between China and African countries.

He also pointed to China’s zero-tariff policy for African diplomatic partners as a measure intended to create favourable conditions for expanded trade and economic cooperation.

The ambassador expressed confidence that stronger partnerships based on mutual respect and shared benefits could help African countries translate their natural resources into tangible development outcomes.

He said China was prepared to work with Nigeria and other African nations to implement Xi’s four-point proposal, strengthen mining cooperation and support Africa’s industrialisation.

Yu concluded that the partnership should ensure that Africa’s mineral wealth serves the development needs of its people while making China-Africa mining cooperation a model for South-South cooperation.