Nigeria on Sunday launched Africa’s largest locally assembled electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Abuja as part of a wider push to scale up domestic EV production and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The launch event, hosted by New Electric Vehicles, also saw the unveiling of locally manufactured electric buses and taxis. The move supports government efforts to cut emissions and modernize the country’s automotive industry.
Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment John Uwan-Enoh said Nigeria aims to ensure that 30% of all vehicles produced locally are electric.
“Electric vehicles are the future, but that future must start today,” Uwan-Enoh told attendees.
The initiative is part of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan, which seeks to raise local vehicle production to one million units annually, increase local content to 40%, and create 200,000 jobs.
Halilu Khalil, executive vice chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, said the shift to EVs must go hand in hand with investment in renewable energy to ensure sustainability.
Electric vehicles are seen as key to lowering transport emissions in Nigeria, but challenges remain, including high vehicle costs, lack of charging infrastructure, and the need for long-term policy support.
