FG Gives China Green Light To Set Up Electric Vehicle Factories

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has emphasized the need for stronger China-Nigeria collaboration to unlock Nigeria’s solid minerals potential by establishing electric vehicle factories in the country.

During a visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, Dunhai highlighted Nigeria’s vast natural resources and reiterated China’s strategic interest in Nigeria, recalling the recent agreement between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Minister Alake affirmed Nigeria’s openness to serious investors, urging the ambassador to encourage Chinese investors to engage in full-cycle mining investments—from extraction to local processing—boosting industrial growth and value addition in Nigeria.

He pointed out Nigeria’s large market and the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through electric vehicle production.

“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. 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.

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 industrialisation.

“Plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.

“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.

The Ambassador emphasized that the Chinese embassy and government consistently urge Chinese companies in Nigeria to follow laws, practice Corporate Social Responsibility, and uphold environmental and safety standards. He stressed that China has zero tolerance for illegal mining and is ready to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to hold offenders accountable.

In response, Minister Alake expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for its longstanding partnership with China and acknowledged that most Chinese firms comply with legal and regulatory requirements. However, he raised concerns about a few operators damaging China’s reputation, citing a recent viral video showing a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security agents.

“We have taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. While isolated, such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” the minister asserted.

The minister also highlighted the positive impact of the Mining Marshals set up to fight illegal mining, stating that the unit has sent a strong message, increased awareness about the issue, and improved compliance with regulations among both local and foreign operators.