The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) to establish Africa’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility and enhance key infrastructure nationwide.
- The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC)...
- According to a statement on the official X (previously Twitter) account of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC),...
- The council stated that this initiative will be implemented in stages, with an estimated capacity to handle 300,000 cars and...
- ‘’The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with EV assembly and expanding into full in-house production, with an estimated...
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Africa EV hub — everything you need to know is covered below.
According to a statement on the official X (previously Twitter) account of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, signed on behalf of the Federal Government on Friday.
Meanwhile, AEDC’s chairman, Mr Yoon Suk-hun, signed on behalf of the South Korean organisation.
Significance of the partnership
NADDC emphasised that this substantial relationship with the South Korean corporation closely aligns with Nigeria’s National Energy Transition Plan (ETP) and the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).
The council stated that this initiative will be implemented in stages, with an estimated capacity to handle 300,000 cars and the creation of around 10,000 jobs. It will begin with electric-vehicle assembly before expanding to full local production.
It says, ‘’On January 30, 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through Senator John Enoh, Hon. Minister of State for Industry at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) to establish an Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant and develop critical charging infrastructure nationwide.
‘’This landmark collaboration aligns strongly with Nigeria’s National Energy Transition Plan (ETP) and National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).
‘’The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with EV assembly and expanding into full in-house production, with an estimated capacity of 300,000 vehicles and the creation of approximately 10,000 jobs.’’
Initiative to expedite technology transfer
Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of NADDC, reiterated that the programme will expedite technology transfer, investment promotion, human capital development, and research, design, and innovation.
The Director-General, represented by NADDC’s Head of Policy, Planning and Statistics, Mr Nura Sidi, said Nigeria is building a sustainable automotive environment that promotes local manufacturing, the adoption of green energy, and global competitiveness.
Significant interest in electric cars in Nigeria
There has been significant interest in electric cars in Nigeria over the past couple of years, despite reservations about their practicality in the Nigerian market, particularly given energy supply challenges and poor road infrastructure.
When Zaria established a 22-person project team in April 2021 to develop an electric car through its agency, the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), the Federal Government initially proposed an electric vehicle built in Nigeria.
To begin assembling and producing electric cars in Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), inked an MOU with Israeli and Japanese businesses in August 2022.
According to Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), released in 2022, the government is ambitious to achieve a 100 per cent transition to EVs by 2060, while Lagos has vowed to achieve this by 2050.
Leading electric car assembly facilities in Nigeria
SAGLEV, Innoson Car Manufacturing (IVM), Jet Motor Company, Spiro, NEV Motors, and Electric Motor Vehicle Company (EMVC) are among Nigeria’s leading electric car assembly facilities.
The Chinese government announced in May 2025 its intention to develop electric car plants and other industrial enterprises in Nigeria as part of efforts to enhance economic ties between the two countries.
The planned construction of EV plants would be a major step toward unleashing Nigeria’s mineral resources and boosting local value addition.