In a significant step towards deepening economic ties between Nigeria and China, the Federal Government has given the green light to Chinese investors to establish electric vehicle manufacturing plants across Nigeria. This move comes as part of efforts to harness the nation’s vast solid mineral resources and promote local industrialisation.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, disclosed the development during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, at his Abuja office. Ambassador Dunhai underscored the importance of closer bilateral cooperation between both countries, stating that Nigeria holds a central place in China’s foreign policy due to its strategic economic potential and abundant natural resources.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, the ambassador revealed China’s concrete plans to roll out electric vehicle production lines in Nigeria, a move that aligns with the broader goal of supporting Africa’s industrialisation through strategic partnerships.
Ambassador Dunhai recalled the recent meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which took place during Tinubu’s state visit to Beijing. He explained that the outcome of the high-level engagement was a mutual agreement to elevate the Nigeria-China relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. According to him, this partnership is designed to open new frontiers for collaboration, particularly in areas such as technology transfer, solid minerals, and sustainable energy solutions.
During the meeting, Dr. Alake reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to welcome serious foreign investors willing to add value within the country rather than merely extract and export raw materials. He emphasised that Nigeria’s focus has shifted to full-cycle investments—from exploration and extraction to processing and manufacturing within its borders. He pointed out the nation’s rich lithium deposits as a strategic mineral that could anchor the local production of batteries and electric vehicles.
“For decades, our solid minerals have been exported in raw form to fuel industrial growth elsewhere. That narrative must change. Our focus is now on domestic processing and industrialisation. With the abundance of critical minerals like lithium, Nigeria is primed to become a hub for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing,” the minister stated.
The ambassador assured that Chinese enterprises share Nigeria’s vision of local value addition and sustainable development. He noted that President Xi Jinping has made African industrialisation a cornerstone of China’s foreign investment agenda, and Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from that policy direction. Ambassador Dunhai added that several Chinese firms are already active in Nigeria’s mining sector and are now looking to expand into electric vehicle production and other related industries.
According to him, the Chinese government maintains a strict policy of zero tolerance for illegal mining and has consistently instructed its nationals operating in Nigeria to comply fully with local laws, uphold environmental standards, and engage in corporate social responsibility. He expressed China’s willingness to partner with Nigerian authorities in curbing illegal operations and bringing defaulters to justice.
Reacting to this, Dr. Alake acknowledged the longstanding relationship between both nations and appreciated the legal and ethical conduct of the majority of Chinese firms operating in Nigeria. However, he raised concerns about the activities of a few rogue operators whose actions have occasionally cast a shadow on China’s reputation. The minister referenced a recent viral video showing a Chinese national allegedly attempting to bribe local law enforcement officials.
“We’ve taken strong measures against illegal mining and have apprehended some Chinese nationals in the process. While these are isolated incidents, they risk undermining the credibility of law-abiding Chinese firms. We count on the support of your government to ensure that erring individuals are held accountable,” he said.
Dr. Alake also highlighted the impact of the Mining Marshals recently introduced by the Federal Government to tackle illegal mining. According to him, the task force has not only boosted enforcement but has also increased compliance and awareness within the sector, especially among foreign stakeholders.
The developments represent a bold step towards realising Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a key player in the global electric vehicle supply chain. With the active involvement of Chinese investors and the government’s renewed focus on mineral processing and industrial growth, Nigeria could soon emerge as a manufacturing hub in Africa’s green economy revolution.
