China has revealed plans to begin producing electric vehicles in Nigeria, marking a significant advancement in the cooperation between both countries. The move is also seen as a major boost to Nigeria’s efforts to turn its mineral resources into a foundation for industrial progress.
The announcement came during a weekend visit by China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, who met with the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, in Abuja.
Ambassador Yu praised Nigeria’s abundance of natural resources and reaffirmed China’s ongoing interest in building stronger ties with the country. He said the choice to establish EV factories followed recent talks between President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation and move the relationship to a broader strategic level.
“Chinese companies are already actively engaged across Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing. We’re now looking to strengthen this cooperation, especially in line with President Tinubu’s focus on economic diversification through solid minerals,” Yu stated.
He added that Chinese businesses are being urged to operate within Nigerian regulations, respect environmental guidelines, and meet their responsibilities to host communities. Yu said the Chinese government does not tolerate illegal mining and is ready to assist Nigerian authorities in tracking and prosecuting offenders.
According to a statement from Segun Tomori, media aide to the solid minerals minister, Dr Alake welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the strong ties between Nigeria and China. However, he voiced concern about the actions of a few bad actors, pointing to a viral video where a Chinese citizen was allegedly caught trying to bribe local security officers.
“We’ve already taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. While such cases are isolated, they damage the good work of many law-abiding firms. We count on your cooperation to hold offenders accountable,” the minister said.
Alake explained that Nigeria has launched a special mining task force to curb illegal activities and noted that the presence of the new Mining Marshals is beginning to have an impact, with more companies now following the rules.
He said the country is shifting away from simply exporting minerals in their raw form. Instead, Nigeria wants to develop the capacity to refine and manufacture locally. “We have vast lithium deposits and other resources. It’s time we use them to power our own development, not just others’. That’s why we want to see electric vehicle and battery production right here in Nigeria,” he explained.
Alake urged the Chinese government to support full-scale investment in the country, from resource extraction to end-product manufacturing. He said Nigeria’s large population and need for clean energy solutions offer long-term opportunities.
In his response, Ambassador Yu said China is on board with Nigeria’s plan to grow its processing and manufacturing base. He confirmed that work has started on bringing electric vehicle production facilities to Nigeria. “President Xi Jinping is committed to promoting African industrial development, and plans are already underway to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plants in Nigeria,” he disclosed.
The introduction of EV plants is expected to bring new employment, introduce advanced manufacturing techniques, and help Nigeria build a reputation as a leader in sustainable energy technology across West Africa.
