China To Establish Electric Vehicle Factories in Nigeria
The Federal Government has granted China the approval to establish electric vehicle factories in the country.
Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday after a bilateral meeting between Nigeria and China.
Yu Dunhai, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, who represented the Chinese delegation said plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria.
The ambassador, who stressed the need for greater collaboration between both countries said the establishment of electric vehicle factories will unlock the potential of Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
“Chinese companies were 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,” the ambassador stated.
Dunhai added that Chinese companies operating in Nigeria had been admonished by their government to abide by the country’s rules and regulations.
He stated that the companies were also urged to implement the required Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and adhere to environmental and safety standards, stressing that Chinese authorities have zero tolerance for illegal mining and are ready to partner with the Nigerian Government to bring suspected culprits to justice.
Dr. Alake said Nigeria has a large market and the potential to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels through electric vehicle production.
He acknowledged the long-standing relations between Nigeria and China, stating that most Chinese firms operated within legal and regulatory frameworks.
He, however, expressed concerns over the actions of a few operators, stating that legal actions were being taken to address such situations.
“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,” he appealed.
The minister reiterated that Nigeria is open to business to serious investors, stating that investments in the nation’s mining industry remained focused on local value addition.
“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.