Nigeria’s Monazite Trade Signals Shift in Africa’s Critical Minerals Market

Nigeria’s growing monazite trade is highlighting the country’s potential role in diversifying global supplies of rare earth minerals as the government pushes for greater local processing and stronger mineral traceability.

Misala Salt Enterprise, a Nigerian mineral company, is offering monazite concentrate with reported grades of 55–60% rare earth oxides (REO) to international buyers through the Rare Earth Exchanges marketplace.

Nigeria has significant critical-mineral resources and was the world’s second-largest tantalum producer in 2024, accounting for an estimated 16% of global production, according to the US Geological Survey.

China remains a major destination for Nigerian mineral concentrates. In 2024, China accounted for about 91% of Nigeria’s lead-concentrate exports and 81% of tin-concentrate exports by value, highlighting the country’s dependence on established Asian markets.

However, Nigeria is increasingly seeking to capture more value domestically. New mining licence applicants are being encouraged to demonstrate plans for processing minerals locally rather than relying solely on raw-material exports.

Misala says it aims to support this transition by consolidating mineral production, verifying grades, coordinating logistics and improving traceability through mining documentation and geospatial tools.

Monazite exports also require careful scrutiny because the mineral can contain uranium and thorium. Buyers must therefore assess mineral composition, radiation regulations, export requirements, chain of custody and processor acceptance before completing transactions.

The emergence of companies seeking to connect Nigerian mineral producers with international processors could create additional routes to market and contribute to the diversification of Africa’s critical-mineral supply chains.