China is set to establish electric vehicle (EV) factories in Nigeria as part of a deepening strategic partnership between the two countries, aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s solid minerals potential and boosting local industrialization.
During a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Yu Dunhai, stressed the importance of closer collaboration in the mining and manufacturing sectors.“Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources,” said Ambassador Dunhai.
“We aim to deepen collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals.”The ambassador highlighted that Chinese companies are already heavily involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing.
He also emphasized China’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining, stating that the embassy encourages all Chinese firms to comply with Nigerian laws, environmental standards, and CSR obligations.“We have always admonished Chinese companies to abide by rules and regulations,” he said.
“The Chinese government is ready to work with Nigeria to bring culprits of illegal mining to justice.”Dr. Alake welcomed the initiative, reiterating Nigeria’s focus on local value addition in the mining sector.“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialization. That must change,” Alake stated.
“We now prioritize local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. With the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries.”The minister also called for full-cycle investment by Chinese firms—from extraction to processing—within Nigeria, adding that such investment would align with Nigeria’s goal to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through EV adoption.
While acknowledging the positive contributions of most Chinese firms, Alake raised concerns over the behavior of a few rogue operators. He referenced a recent viral video involving a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security agents.“Such incidents, though isolated, undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms,” he said.
“We need your cooperation to ensure that such culprits are brought to justice.”In response, Ambassador Dunhai reaffirmed China’s support for Nigeria’s local value-addition policy and disclosed that plans are already in motion to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures across the country.
“Promoting African industrialization is a key priority for President Xi Jinping,” he added.
The announcement marks a significant step in Nigeria’s bid to transform its mining sector into a driver of industrial and economic growth.
