The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended Nigeria’s electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (eMC+) system, describing it as a benchmark for transparency and digital transformation in the region’s extractive sector.
During a high-level visit to Nigeria’s Mining Cadastre Office in Abuja on Friday, ECOWAS technical experts applauded the country’s web-based mineral title management system, urging its adoption across West Africa.
William Badieo, head of the ECOWAS delegation and regional mining systems coordinator, emphasized that Nigeria’s digital progress in mineral licensing serves as a model for the region. He said the visit was part of a broader effort to finalize a second feasibility study for establishing a regional Geo-Extractive Observatory and Key Distance System.
“Nigeria is far ahead. What we witnessed is a practical demonstration of a fully functional, transparent, and accessible digital system,” Badieo noted.
He explained that the evaluation of Nigeria’s system would serve as a blueprint for harmonizing mining cadastres across ECOWAS member states, aligning with the regional goal of integrated governance in extractives.
Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Obadiah Simon Nkom, welcomed the visit as a recognition of Nigeria’s leadership in mining reforms and digital innovation. He traced the evolution of the system back to the 2007 Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, which paved the way for transitioning from manual records to a GIS-enabled, web-based platform.
“This synergy will ensure any investor coming into the ECOWAS region can access harmonised, transparent data using GIS platforms,” Nkom said.
He highlighted features of the eMC+ platform, including real-time license applications, global remote access, and integrated disclosures of beneficial ownership and politically exposed persons. Nkom also credited the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the African Development Bank for their vital support.
Chief Geologist at Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources and ECOWAS delegate, Madu Fika, expressed his amazement at the system’s sophistication, calling the experience transformative in understanding the scope of Nigeria’s technological adoption in mining governance.
Likewise, Eugene Norman, Head of Sierra Leone’s Mining Cadastre Office, emphasized the importance of peer learning in achieving common regional standards, stating, “This visit will help elevate all member states to a common standard.”
Launched in November 2022, Nigeria’s eMC+ system has now been in use for over two years and is setting the pace for digital title management across Africa. ECOWAS is currently concluding a technical review, with hopes of adopting Nigeria’s model as a foundational tool for a unified, investor-friendly extractive platform across the region.
What you should know
Nigeria’s eMC+ system is a fully digital, transparent platform for managing mining licenses.
Launched in 2022, it’s now being considered as the framework for a harmonized regional mining platform by ECOWAS due to its effectiveness and accessibility.
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