Nigeria is positioning itself to host electric vehicle manufacturing facilities backed by Chinese investment, officials revealed yesterday.
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During high-level talks in Abuja, Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai confirmed plans for establishing EV factories in Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to transform the country’s mineral wealth into manufacturing capacity. The initiative aligns with China’s commitment to supporting Africa’s industrialisation, a key priority under President Xi Jinping’s leadership.
“We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” Ambassador Dunhai stated during discussions with Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake.
The planned investments follow the recent elevation of Nigeria-China relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to China. This new framework creates expanded opportunities for cooperation, particularly in Nigeria’s mining and manufacturing sectors.
Dr. Alake highlighted Nigeria’s strategic advantages for such investments, citing the country’s large market and potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. “With our abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” the minister explained, noting the administration’s focus on local value addition rather than raw mineral exports.
The partnership represents a shift in Nigeria’s approach to its mineral resources, particularly lithium, a critical component in EV batteries that has attracted increasing global interest. By developing downstream processing and manufacturing capabilities, Nigeria aims to capture greater economic value from its natural resources.
According to the minister, Nigeria has adopted a policy prioritising investors who commit to local processing rather than exporting raw materials. “We now prioritise local processing to drive Nigeria’s development,” Alake stated.
The discussions also addressed compliance challenges within the mining sector. Ambassador Dunhai affirmed that Chinese authorities maintain “zero tolerance for illegal mining” and are prepared to collaborate with Nigerian officials to ensure regulatory compliance. He noted that the Chinese government consistently directs its companies operating in Nigeria to adhere to local regulations, environmental standards, and corporate social responsibility requirements.
Alake acknowledged these concerns, noting that while most Chinese firms operate legally, actions have been taken against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. “We have taken action against illegal operators… While isolated, such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms,” he said, requesting cooperation in bringing violators to justice.
Chinese companies are already extensively involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing stages, with the embassy working to ensure they maintain high standards of operation.
The proposed EV manufacturing initiative holds particular significance for Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts amidst global energy transitions. As countries worldwide shift toward renewable energy and electric mobility, Nigeria’s abundant lithium reserves position it to play a crucial role in global EV supply chains.
The partnership also reflects China’s expanding economic presence across Africa, with a growing emphasis on industrialisation and technology transfer rather than purely extractive industries. Through this collaboration, Nigerian officials hope to accelerate technology adoption while developing local manufacturing capabilities that can serve both domestic and export markets.
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