China set to establish electric vehicle factories in Nigeria

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The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between China and Nigeria to harness the potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, particularly through the development of electric vehicle manufacturing plants.

Ambassador Dunhai made this appeal during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, over the weekend in Abuja.

He went ahead to praise Nigeria’s abundant natural resources and reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening strategic ties with the country. Dunhai also referenced the recent meeting between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping, where both leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, creating new opportunities for cooperation.

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Underscoring China’s active role in Nigeria’s mining sector, the Ambassador noted that Chinese companies are already involved in various operations, from exploration to mineral processing. He expressed interest in enhancing collaboration, especially in support of President Tinubu’s economic diversification drive, which places a strong focus on the solid minerals industry.

Ambassador Yu Dunhai emphasized the need for adherence to legal and ethical standards, affirming that the Chinese government maintains a zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining. He stated that Chinese companies operating in Nigeria have been instructed to comply with local regulations, uphold corporate social responsibility, and meet environmental and safety standards. He also assured the Nigerian government of China’s willingness to support efforts to bring violators to justice.

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In response, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, welcomed the push for stronger collaboration and acknowledged the positive impact of several Chinese firms in the sector. However, he expressed concern over illegal activities linked to some operators, citing a recent viral video that allegedly shows a Chinese national bribing local security officials. He reaffirmed the government’s determination to tackle such misconduct, noting that decisive action has already been taken against some violators.

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Dr. Alake highlighted the efforts of the Mining Marshals, a specialized task force, in curbing illegal mining, noting improved compliance and growing awareness across the sector. He also emphasized Nigeria’s policy shift from exporting raw minerals to promoting local value addition, insisting that future investments must focus on in-country processing and manufacturing. With Nigeria’s significant lithium deposits, he stressed the strategic importance of developing domestic facilities for electric vehicle and battery production.

The Minister urged Chinese investors to adopt a comprehensive investment approach, encompassing extraction, processing, and manufacturing within Nigeria. He pointed out that Nigeria’s sizable consumer base and its drive to reduce dependence on fossil fuels make it an attractive hub for electric vehicle production.

Ambassador Dunhai expressed strong support for Nigeria’s value-addition agenda and reiterated China’s commitment to Africa’s industrialization. He revealed that plans are already underway to establish electric vehicle manufacturing facilities and related projects in Nigeria, reflecting a shared goal of advancing sustainable economic development.

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