ECOWAS has endorsed Nigeria’s electronic Mining Cadastre Plus (eMC+) as a model for digital transformation and transparency in West Africa’s extractive industry.
During a visit to the Mining Cadastre Office in Abuja, ECOWAS officials praised the platform’s efficiency in managing mineral titles, calling it an example for other member states.
“Nigeria is far ahead,” said William Badieo, ECOWAS Regional Mining Systems Coordinator. “We saw a fully functional, transparent, and accessible digital system that aligns with our vision for regional integration.”
Obadiah Nkom, Director-General of the Cadastre Office, noted that Nigeria’s journey began with the 2007 Mining Act, evolving into a web-based, GIS-enabled platform.
“We’re not just building for Nigeria. We’re contributing to a unified system that promotes investor confidence across the region,” Nkom said.
Delegates from Sierra Leone and Nigeria’s Ministry of Petroleum Resources also expressed admiration for the platform, stressing its potential to improve transparency and collaboration among West African nations.
Launched in 2022, the eMC+ system is now being considered by ECOWAS as a foundation for a unified regional mining database.