The Chinese and Nigerian governments have announced their intention to set up electric vehicle (EV) factories in Nigeria, signalling a deepening of bilateral cooperation and industrial investment between the two countries. This development was confirmed during a courtesy visit by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, over the weekend.
According to Segun Tomori, special assistant on media to the minister, the move is part of China’s broader strategy to support Nigeria’s economic diversification, particularly through value addition in the solid minerals sector.
Strengthening Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership
Ambassador Dunhai hailed Nigeria as a resource-rich nation with immense industrial potential, emphasising China’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive strategic partnership, a relationship that was reinforced during the recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
“Chinese firms are actively engaged in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing. We are ready to expand our involvement, particularly in support of President Tinubu’s priority agenda on solid minerals and industrial growth,” Dunhai stated.
He also affirmed China’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining, stressing that all Chinese companies are instructed to adhere strictly to Nigerian laws, including environmental safety and corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards.
Nigeria Prioritizes Local Mineral Processing and EV Production
Minister Alake welcomed the collaboration but raised concerns about non-compliant operators, referencing a recent bribery case involving a Chinese national. He urged China’s support in ensuring that rogue elements are held accountable to preserve the integrity of the many law-abiding Chinese businesses in Nigeria.
Alake also highlighted the success of the newly launched Mining Marshals, a special task force focused on combating illegal mining and enforcing compliance across the sector.
“The era of exporting raw minerals is over. With Nigeria’s abundant lithium reserves, our focus is on local EV and battery production, not just raw exports,” Alake said. He encouraged Chinese investors to engage in full-cycle operations, from extraction to manufacturing, leveraging Nigeria’s large consumer market and clean energy ambitions.
China Commits to African Industrialization
In closing, Ambassador Dunhai expressed full support for Nigeria’s local value-addition agenda, noting it aligns with President Xi Jinping’s goal of promoting African industrialisation. He confirmed that plans are underway to establish EV manufacturing plants and other industrial projects in Nigeria.
