Press Release
June 29, 2017
Experts from the worlds of politics and industry discussed the role of construction and
mining in the economic diversification of Nigeria at a trade fair and conference
Global players made use of the first ConMin West
Africa
ConMin West Africa (the international trade fair for construction machinery
and mining in West Africa) and the accompanying "National Mining Summit"
took place for the first time in Nigeria's capital Abuja from June 13th to 15th.
The German foreign trade fair organizer IMAG, together with its Nigerian
Alice Röhler
PR Manager
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[email protected]
www.imag.de
partner Afrocet Montgomery, had invited experts to the Abuja International
Conference Centre. At the conference, about 250 participants from politics
and industry discussed the promising future of mining in Nigeria and West
Africa in various sessions. International exhibitors presented their
innovations at the trade fair.
Since the price of oil plummeted sharply in 2015, Nigeria has committed itself to
increasingly diversify its economy. Mining already plays a key role in this regard. It
is expected to contribute three percent to Nigeria’s gross domestic product by
2025. To make more use of non-liquid mineral resources, the Nigerian government
is seeking private investors and is making strategic considerations. The National
Mining Summit is intended to serve as an annual exchange of experience, and its
premiere was attended by a high-caliber team. "We want to provide our exhibitors
with an early entry into promising markets. The concept of the trade fair in
combination with a well-visited conference is an optimal environment for making
the most important contacts for the future," says Peter Bergleiter, Managing
Director of IMAG GmbH.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (acting president of Nigeria) and the sponsor Dr. Kayode
Fayemi (Nigerian Minister of Mines and Steel Development) opened the
conference on June 13th. During the next two days, the participants from all over
Africa exchanged opportunities and best practices regarding the extraction of
natural resources. Participants in the session "Mining for Sustainable Growth and
Development in West Africa" included the ministers responsible for mining from
Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mali, Nige and South Africa.
Large international companies as well as some hidden champions came to the
ConMin West Africa trade fair to present their technical solutions and products.
Germany and China were represented with national pavilions. In total, there were
exhibitors from ten countries. These included Bosch, Case, Dangote, Elkon and
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Press Release
thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions. Overall, more than 1,500 visitors came to the fair
and conference.
Hendrik Paessler, Senior Manager at thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions describes
the fair by saying, “Nigeria is a very interesting market for thyssenkrupp Industrial
Solutions because of its sheer size and diversity. Our first appearance at ConMin
West Africa has confirmed this, with interesting customers and plenty of projects.”
Bernie Nerlich, President of the U.S. American company 4N Corporation,
manufacturer of grouser bars, says: “ConMin West Africa proved to be both – very
informative and successful. We were able to gain valuable market insight from the
high-quality attendees and we will have new customers from our contacts made at
the trade fair.”
Nigeria has the largest economy in Africa, even compared to that of South Africa.
Despite the dependency on the currently low oil price, its economy has positive
prospects in the medium term. Economic growth of six percent is expected for
2017.
The interest in Nigeria as a growth market, which is becoming increasingly
important for the global economy, is high in Germany, as well. The Verband
Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA) has supported the concept of
trade fair and conference since its planning phase.
th
th
In 2018, ConMin West Africa will take place from May 15 to 17 .
For more information about ConMin West Africa and the National Mining Summit,
please visit www.conminwestafrica.com.
To download high-resolution images, please go to http://www.imag.de/en/press/.
IMAG GmbH
IMAG, a subsidiary of the Messe München Group, organizes trade fairs around the
world and supports participants in international events outside Germany on behalf of
public and private clients. Since its foundation in 1946 in Munich, IMAG has been
involved in over 5,000 international exhibitions abroad. IMAG’s annual portfolio
encompasses approximately 30 trade fairs, spanning around 20 countries. The events
focus in particular on the automotive, commercial vehicles and auto parts sector;
construction machinery, building material and mining; machine tools and further
industries; environmental technology and analysis.
Afrocet Montgomery Ltd.
With a combined 145 years of experience, Afrocet Montgomery is a joint venture
business which specializes in running high-end exhibitions and events in West Africa.
Our extensive knowledge and experience of the African market has enabled us to
develop a strong portfolio of shows which cover a wide range of sectors including the
building and mining industries. As well as organizing South Africa’s biggest building
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Press Release
show, Interbuild, we also run Electra Mining Africa which is one of the world’s largest
mining and power exhibitions based in Johannesburg.
Images/Captions:
Opening of ConMin West Africa and the National
Mining Summit on June 13, 2017 in the Nigerian
capital city of Abuja; from left to right: Abubakar
Bawa Bwari, Nigerian Minister of State for Mines
and Steel Development; Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,
acting president of Nigeria; event patron Dr.
Kayode Fayemi, Nigerian Minister for Mines and
Steel Development
Opening speech by event patron Dr. Kayode
Fayemi, Nigerian Minister for Mines and Steel
Development
Panel discussion on the second day of the
National Mining Summit with Abubakar Bawa
Bwari, Nigerian Minister of State for Mines and
Steel Development (centre)
Attendees at the National Mining Summit
participated in a total of eleven conference
sessions featuring a high-quality array of guests.
Tour around the trade fair with Prof. Yemi
Osinbajo, acting president of Nigeria
Shaking hands at the stand of the Nigerian
Ministry for Mines and Steel Development at
ConMin West Africa 2017
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Press Release
Visitors to ConMin West Africa 2017 could test
the stability of the systems for themselves at the
stand belonging to the Mexican scaffolding
company Iberosistem.
The Australian company Flexmat showcased its
concrete block mattresses at ConMin West Africa
2017.
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