In order to accelerate its dynamism of diversification and economic industrialization, the Federal Government of Nigeria called on China’s support to establish assembly factories of electric vehicles (EV) in the country.
The request was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the ambassador Bianca Odugwu-Ojukwu, during a visit to the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Describing China as one of Nigeria’s largest business partners, Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed long-standing economic cooperation between the two countries and the need for more in-depth collaboration, in particular in the automotive sector.
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“In accordance with the policy of President Tinubu to industrialize Nigeria, we expect China’s cooperation to allow us to establish assembly factories for electric vehicles,” she said.
However, as Nigeria expresses its ambition to advance in the electric vehicle industry, analysts stressed a critical gap in the country’s infrastructure – electricity. Given the nigeria chronic power shortages, economic experts claim that the government should prioritize the search for support from China to resolve its energy crisis before venturing into energy -dependent industries such as the manufacture of electric vehicles .
Nigeria currently generates just over 5,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, well below the 33,000 MW estimated necessary to meet the industrial and interior needs of the country. The deficit has long been a major obstacle to economic growth, companies and industries forced to count on expensive costly diesel generators to maintain operations on the move.
For a country aspiring to develop a VE industry, a stable power supply is not negotiable. The manufacture of electric vehicles, load infrastructure and global industrial activities require coherent and affordable electricity.
According to energy analysts, the ineffectiveness of the energy sector has stifled industrialization, discouraged foreign investments and increased production costs in several sectors. Nigeria’s manufacturers in difficulty cite erratic food as one of their greatest operational challenges, many forced to move or close due to high energy costs. The manufacturing sector, which should be an engine of economic development, is seriously limited by the unreliable electricity network.
In this context, analysts urge the government to seek China’s help to combat the electricity crisis as a fundamental step towards the achievement of industries and to support industries such as the production of electric vehicles.
Experts in energy policy believe that the Nigerian government must first solve the problem of electricity before focusing on high -power industries such as the production of electric vehicles. They suggest that instead of asking for the help of China in the establishment of power plants, Nigeria should engage Beijing in strategic discussions to considerably stimulate the production, transmission and distribution of electricity.
China has a large experience in large -scale electricity infrastructure projects, including hydroelectric, solar and charcoal power plants. Many African countries, including Ethiopia and Zambia, have exploited China’s expertise to extend their electrical networks.
China’s involvement in the Nigeria energy sector has been relatively limited compared to other sectors such as railways and roads. Analysts believe that the government should ask for the help of China to the construction of additional electric power plants, upgrading the national network and the improvement of renewable energy projects.
The growing involvement of China in the Nigeria economy is part of its broader strategy to strengthen its influence across Africa. Over the years, Beijing has strongly invested in the Nigeria infrastructure, transportation projects in transport, industrial parks and even the port of the deep sea of Lekki. However, its involvement in the Nigeria energy sector remains minimal despite the flagrant challenges of the country’s electricity.
Trade between the two countries exceeding $ 21 billion in 2024 and Nigeria exports to China increasing by more than 25%, experts maintain that a strategic partnership focused on electricity production would be much more beneficial than priority EV assembly factories at this stage.
In addition, the recent renewal of a currency exchange agreement of $ 2 billion between Nigeria and China should strengthen financial cooperation and promote bilateral trade. However, without enough energy to feed industries and stimulate manufacturing, Nigeria can find it difficult to maximize the advantages of its trade agreements with China.
Although Nigeria’s push for EV assembly factories is aligned with global green energy and industrialization trends, it raises concerns about government priorities.
