China has announced plans to set up electric vehicle (EV) factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria, as part of efforts to deepen economic cooperation and support Nigeria’s drive towards industrialisation.
This was revealed by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, during a recent bilateral meeting with the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, in Abuja. The details were shared in a statement by Alake’s media aide, Segun Tomori, on Sunday.
Ambassador Dunhai said that China is ready to invest in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector by helping to build electric vehicle factories and related industries. He noted that the move aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s focus on promoting Africa’s industrial growth.
Dunhai also highlighted the growing relationship between both countries, pointing out that President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to China helped strengthen ties and led to an agreement to upgrade Nigeria-China relations to a strategic partnership.
“Chinese companies are already active in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing,” the ambassador said. “We want to go further, especially in line with President Tinubu’s focus on economic diversification through solid minerals.”
He also addressed concerns about the activities of some Chinese operators involved in illegal mining, saying the Chinese government has zero tolerance for illegal practices. He assured that companies had been warned to follow Nigerian laws and respect environmental, safety, and community standards.
In response, Dr. Alake said Nigeria’s large population and growing demand for green energy present a huge market for electric vehicles. He called for more investments in local production, especially in lithium processing and battery manufacturing.
The minister also acknowledged the positive role of many Chinese companies but warned that Nigeria is taking action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals, to protect the country’s image and natural resources.
“We’re open for business with serious investors,” Alake said. “But we will not tolerate those who break our laws. Our focus now is on local value addition – we want minerals mined in Nigeria to be processed in Nigeria.”
This move signals a major shift in Nigeria’s industrial landscape, as the country pushes to become a hub for electric vehicle production in Africa, using its rich mineral resources and strong international partnerships.
