China is preparing to establish electric vehicle manufacturing plants in Nigeria, following a high-level meeting between minister of solid minerals development, Dr. Dele Alake, and Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunh, at the weekend.
The Ambassador emphasised the importance of further collaboration between China and Nigeria in leveraging the potential of Nigeria's Solid Minerals sector by establishing electric vehicle manufacturing in Nigeria.
Speaking while paying a courtesy visit to Alake in his office over the weekend, Dunhai underlined that Nigeria is a country endowed with immense natural resources, stressing that China has always placed Nigeria at the centre of her foreign policy.
Recalling the recent high-level meeting between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping during Tinubu's state visit to China, Ambassador Dunhai stated that both leaders decided to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, thereby providing new chances for cooperation.
“Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing. We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” he added.
In his response, Dr. Alake stated that Nigeria appreciates its long-standing relations with China, acknowledging that most Chinese firms operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.
He reiterated that Nigeria is open for business to serious investors, stressing that investments in the nation's mining industry are now focused on local value addition.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialization. That must change. We now prioritise local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. For instance, with the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” he said.
Alake urged Dunhai to encourage Chinese investors to commit to full-cycle investments—from extraction to processing—within Nigeria.
He pointed out Nigeria’s large market and the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through electric vehicle production.
Responding, Ambassador Dunhai expressed support for Nigeria’s local value-addition policy, pointing out that one of President Xi Jinping’s key priorities is promoting African industrialization.
He revealed that plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.
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