A new partnership with South Korea will see Nigeria launch large-scale electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, introducing advanced technology and creating a framework for clean energy adoption nationwide.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on January 30, 2026, by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, John Enoh, representing the Federal Government, in collaboration with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC).
The agreement covers the establishment of a national EV manufacturing plant as well as the rollout of charging infrastructure across the country.
The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) described the initiative as a historic step toward positioning Nigeria as Africa’s first country to produce electric vehicles under a structured national framework. The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with vehicle assembly and eventually moving to full-scale local production. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce up to 300,000 vehicles annually and generate approximately 10,000 direct jobs.
“This collaboration aligns with Nigeria’s National Energy Transition Plan and the National Automotive Industry Development Plan”, NADDC stated.
Represented at the signing by its Director-General, Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, through the Head of Policy, Planning, and Statistics, Nura Sidi, the council emphasized that the initiative will accelerate technology transfer, attract investment, and deepen human capital development within the automotive sector.
Osanipin highlighted that the project will strengthen research, design, and innovation while fostering a sustainable automotive ecosystem rooted in local manufacturing, clean energy adoption, and global competitiveness.
The initiative further supports Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2060. Transport remains a major contributor to urban air pollution, and policymakers view electric mobility as essential for reducing emissions and fuel dependence.
Pilot programs are already in place, including electric buses in Lagos State and federal initiatives promoting compressed natural gas as a transitional fuel for public transport.
Officials noted that the partnership with South Korea will provide vital technical expertise in areas such as battery technology and charging infrastructure, where Nigeria currently has limited capacity.
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