Nigeria is poised to become a hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing as the Republic of China announces plans to invest in the sector. The development was revealed by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.
Ambassador Dunhai underscored the need to enhance cooperation between the two nations, noting that the establishment of EV factories would help unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s rich solid minerals resources. He described Nigeria as a key partner in China’s foreign policy and reiterated Beijing’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
The Ambassador referred to the recent high-level dialogue between Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which both leaders agreed to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This enhanced alliance, he noted, would pave the way for more robust collaboration across sectors.
According to Dunhai, Chinese firms are already active within Nigeria’s mining industry, participating in both exploration and processing. He expressed a desire to deepen these engagements, aligning them with President Tinubu’s development agenda, particularly in diversifying the economy through the exploitation of solid minerals.
The Chinese envoy also reassured Nigeria of his government’s commitment to ethical business practices. He mentioned that Chinese companies are encouraged to comply with Nigerian laws, engage in Corporate Social Responsibility, and maintain high environmental and safety standards.
Furthermore, Dunhai stressed that Chinese authorities strongly oppose illegal mining activities and stand ready to work with Nigerian officials to hold violators accountable.
Minister Dele Alake welcomed the continued partnership and acknowledged the largely lawful operations of most Chinese businesses. However, he expressed concern over recent reports involving a few individuals whose actions could tarnish China’s image.
Citing a viral video in which a Chinese individual allegedly attempted to bribe local security agents, Alake stated that decisive action has been taken against such offenders. He called for closer cooperation with Chinese authorities to ensure justice is served in such cases.
The minister also noted the positive outcomes of Nigeria’s new Mining Marshals initiative, which has been instrumental in curbing illegal mining and improving compliance among both local and international players.
Alake reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to credible investors and emphasised the country’s shift toward local value addition. He criticised the long-standing practice of exporting raw minerals and called for investment in domestic processing and manufacturing.
“With an abundance of lithium, we aim for local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” Alake said, urging Chinese investors to undertake full-cycle investment strategies — from extraction to production — within Nigeria.
Responding to this, Ambassador Dunhai endorsed Nigeria’s industrial vision and confirmed that concrete plans are in progress to establish EV manufacturing plants and related facilities in the country. He added that industrialisation in Africa is one of President Xi Jinping’s core foreign policy objectives.