Nigeria is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s emerging electric mobility market following a new partnership between the Federal Government and South Korea to establish an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in the country.
When fully operational, the EV plant is projected to produce up to 300,000 electric vehicles annually and create approximately 10,000 direct jobs.
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC). The agreement was signed by John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, alongside representatives of AEDC.
According to the government, the collaboration is designed to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to clean energy while strengthening local industrial and technological capacity. In addition to vehicle production, the project includes plans for the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide—considered critical to large-scale EV adoption.
Electric vehicles to ride on Nigeria’s green energy plans
The EV manufacturing initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Energy Transition Plan (ETP) and the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), reinforcing the government’s strategy to build a sustainable automotive ecosystem anchored on local manufacturing, clean energy adoption, and global competitiveness.
According to the government, the collaboration is designed to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to clean energy while strengthening local industrial and technological capacity. In addition to vehicle production, the project includes plans for the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide—considered critical to large-scale EV adoption.
“The initiative is designed to accelerate technology transfer, investment promotion, human capital development, and research, design, and innovation,” the government said, noting that the project is expected to stimulate growth in Nigeria’s domestic automotive technology ecosystem and reduce reliance on imported vehicles.
Implementation of the project will be phased, beginning with EV assembly operations before progressing to full in-country manufacturing. When fully operational, the plant is projected to produce up to 300,000 electric vehicles annually and create approximately 10,000 direct jobs.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) is a key institutional partner in the initiative. Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of NADDC—represented at the signing by Nura Sidi, Head of Policy, Planning and Statistics—reaffirmed the council’s commitment to leveraging the project to deepen local content, build technical skills, and strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry.
The partnership marks another step in Nigeria’s broader effort to position itself as a manufacturing and technology hub for electric mobility in Africa, as governments across the continent push for cleaner transport solutions and reduced carbon emissions.
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