China is planning to establish electric vehicle (EV) factories and expand manufacturing ventures in Nigeria as part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral economic relations and support Africa’s industrial development.t
The announcement was made in a statement released on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, following a recent high-level meeting between the minister and China’s Ambassador to Nigeria.
During the meeting, the Chinese envoy expressed Beijing’s commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in the solid minerals sector. He said the proposed EV factories would help Nigeria harness its mineral wealth for domestic value addition while advancing industrial growth. This initiative aligns with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy agenda, which supports Africa’s industrialisation, and complements President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification goals under his eight-point agenda.
The Chinese ambassador noted that Chinese companies are already playing a major role in Nigeria’s mining sector—from exploration to mineral processing—and that the proposed manufacturing projects would further cement this partnership.
He also addressed Nigeria’s growing concerns over illegal mining activities, acknowledging reports involving Chinese firms. In response, he affirmed China’s zero-tolerance stance on regulatory violations and pledged that all Chinese enterprises in Nigeria will operate in line with the country’s laws and regulations
To that end, Chinese companies have been instructed to implement strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and strictly observe environmental and safety standards in their operations.
As discussions move forward, both countries are expected to deepen cooperation across sectors, with electric vehicle production and solid minerals development taking centre stage in a new phase of strategic economic collaboration.
