SMDF Opens Live Information Sessions for EMERGE Mining Grant Applicants

The Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) is holding two virtual information sessions to guide prospective applicants seeking funding under its Early-Stage Mineral Exploration and Research Grant Endowment (EMERGE) programme.

The sessions, scheduled for Thursday, August 20, and Friday, August 21, 2026, are aimed at helping applicants understand the grant’s eligibility requirements, funding categories and application process.

The first session, focusing on Exploration and Critical Minerals, is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, from 12pm to 1pm. The second session, dedicated to Research and Development, will take place on Friday, August 21, from 11am to 12pm.

According to the official EMERGE platform, both sessions will provide applicants with an opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification from members of the programme team on eligibility, funding streams and application requirements.

EMERGE is an SMDF initiative designed to provide early-stage funding and technical support for Nigeria’s mining sector. The programme operates across three major streams: Exploration, Critical Minerals, and Research & Development.

The Exploration stream supports activities such as geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys, drilling and assaying. The Critical Minerals stream targets exploration of minerals including lithium, tin, tantalum, nickel, cobalt and rare earths, while also supporting technologies that can improve local mineral processing and value addition.

The Research and Development stream provides grants for applied geoscience and mineral-processing research. Eligible beneficiaries include Nigerian universities and accredited research institutions, as well as Master’s and PhD researchers working in relevant fields.

The programme was formally launched in June 2026 as part of Federal Government efforts to address the shortage of early-stage financing in the mining sector and move promising mineral projects towards investment readiness. At the launch, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the initiative would help strengthen geological data, support critical-mineral development and promote local value addition.

The SMDF’s official EMERGE platform states that applications are currently open and are being assessed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

The programme is open to qualifying early-stage exploration companies, Nigerian universities and research institutions, and Master’s and PhD researchers. Exploration companies, for example, must meet requirements including CAC registration, tax compliance, a valid exploration licence, credible geological data and a qualified technical team.

Beyond financial support, EMERGE also includes an accelerator component offering technical training, investment-readiness support, corporate governance guidance and opportunities to connect with investors and industry players.

Interested applicants can access the virtual sessions and obtain further details through the official SMDF-EMERGE platform. Applications can also be submitted through the programme’s online portal.