On February 26, 2026, China GCL Group reached a heavyweight cooperation agreement with the Nigerian Ministry of Steel Development, planning to invest over 2 billion US dollars to build a large-scale primary aluminum (electrolytic aluminum) production base with an annual capacity of 3 million tons in Nigeria. This project is one of the largest single industrial investments in Nigeria's metal industry in decades, and will become a landmark project for China Africa capacity cooperation and Africa's industrialization process.

Nigerian Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Oudu, stated during the meeting that Nigeria relies on its abundant bauxite and natural gas resources, as well as a broad domestic market, to fully attract foreign investment to layout high-end manufacturing and full industry chain projects, and promote the country's transformation from resource export to deep processing. This cooperation not only focuses on the construction of large-scale electrolytic aluminum plants, but also simultaneously promotes the revitalization of local aluminum smelting assets and the construction of LNG supporting facilities in cooperation with CNOOC, forming an integrated layout of energy, raw materials, and smelting.

GCL Group has proposed a full industry chain investment plan, which will extend bauxite development upstream, ensure stable supply of raw materials, and simultaneously drive the output of technology, equipment, and management experience, helping Nigeria improve the aluminum industry ecology. After the completion of the project, it will significantly reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported aluminum products, promote the country's entry into the world's major primary aluminum producing countries, create a large number of jobs and taxes, and accelerate the process of economic diversification.

According to industry evaluations, the implementation of this mega project will further consolidate China's leading advantage in the global aluminum industry, strengthen cooperation in the new energy and non-ferrous metal industry chain between China and Africa, and inject strong momentum into Africa's industrialization and regional economic development.Editor/Bian Wenjun