For years, the idea of "Electric Vehicles in Nigeria" has felt like a luxury dream or a tech-bro fantasy. We asked the same questions: “Where do we charge it?” and “Who will fix it when it breaks?” or “Can I use it for long distances?”.
But as we settle into 2026, the silence is being broken by the hum of locally assembled electric motors. From the halls of the National Assembly to the manufacturing hubs in Nnewi and Lagos, the "EV Movement" isn't just coming, it’s already parked in some driveways. Some say it’s a revolution, I don’t think it’s quite that yet.
The game upped its tempo on
January 30, 2026 when the Federal Government signed a landmark deal with South
Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC). The goal is to establish
Africa’s first structured EV manufacturing plant right here in Nigeria, with a
target of 300,000 vehicles annually. This project is expected to create 10,000
direct jobs, moving us from being a "used-car dump" to a
manufacturing powerhouse.
Key Players
- Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
(FMITI): The lead government partner, with the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) signed by Senator John Enoh, the Minister
of State for Industry.
- National Automotive Design and Development Council
(NADDC): The primary regulatory and coordinating body for the
project. The Director-General, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin,
has pledged regulatory support to ensure the partnership translates into
local jobs and technological advancement.
- Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT): Involved
in developing the blueprint and technology framework for
"made-in-Nigeria" electric vehicles that align with this
international partnership.
While the AEDC deal is a framework agreement at the federal level, it is designed to integrate existing local manufacturers into a national EV value chain. Current Nigerian companies recognized as key players in this ecosystem include:
- Existing Assemblers: Manufacturers like Innoson
Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Nord Motors, CIG
Motors (GAC), and Jet Motor Company are designated
partners in the government's broader ₦20 billion consumer credit scheme
for locally made EVs.
- NEV Electric Motors & Lanre Shittu Motors: These
companies were specifically highlighted during strategic meetings between
the NADDC and AEDC for their growing local assembly capacity.
- SAGLEV: Noted for its advanced EV
assembly plant in Ikorodu, Lagos, which aligns with the project’s goal of
starting with assembly before moving to full production.
Charging Infrastructure
Nigeria is experiencing an expansion
of its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, driven by both indigenous
startups and government-backed international partnerships. The following
companies and entities are actively investing in or operating charging
networks:
-Key Private Sector Players
- Nigus International: Actively rolling out
EV recharge stations nationwide using battery storage.
- Qoray Mobility: Has launched multiple
charging solutions, including fully solar-powered battery swap stations
in Kano State and a public charging station at the Marriott
Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
- JéGO Technologies: Focused on modular
"Five Series" EV chargers that can power homes and businesses
while simultaneously charging vehicles using solar or grid energy.
- LUG West Africa: Has plans to install
over 250 EV charging points across Lagos State by the end
of 2026, integrating them with existing solar-powered street lighting
infrastructure.
- Possible EVS: Based in Abuja, this green
mobility company provides turnkey charging solutions specifically for
fleet-oriented businesses.
- Spiro: Africa's largest EV player has
introduced battery-swapping technology and charging hubs in Ogun,
Oyo, Lagos, and Abuja.
-Government & International Partnerships
- NNPC New Energies Limited (NNEL): A subsidiary
of the NNPCL, it launched one of Nigeria's first public EV charging
stations in Abuja in partnership with Shafa
Energy and Nigus International.
- Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) of South
Korea: Signed a landmark MoU with the Federal Government
on January 30, 2026, to develop a nationwide EV charging
infrastructure alongside a large-scale manufacturing plant.
- Borno State Government: Under Governor Zulum,
the state has already established six solar-powered charging stations to
support its fleet of electric taxis.
Several renewable energy firms have also expanded their portfolios to include DC fast-charging stations. They include Arnergy, Rubitec Solar, Starsight Energy, and Eneriv Power. As of early 2026, Nigeria has approximately 180 charging stations, including 30 fast-charging points, primarily concentrated in major urban centres like Lagos and Abuja.
Nigeria aims to transition into an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, driven by a landmark deal signed on January 30, 2026, with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) to establish a plant producing 300,000 vehicles annually and creating 10,000 jobs. This initiative involves key government bodies and integrates local manufacturers while also expanding the nation's EV charging infrastructure, which now includes approximately 180 stations across major cities. The government’s National Action Plan for the Development of Electric Vehicles aims for at least 30% local production by 2032, placing infrastructure at the heart of its strategy.
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