By Faridat Salifu
In a move towards promoting clean energy and diversifying its economy, the Nigerian federal government has set an ambitious target for 30% of locally produced vehicles to be electric.
This recent announcement was made by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, John Uwan-Enoh, during the unveiling of Africa’s largest locally assembled electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The event also marked the launch of locally manufactured electric buses and taxis by the Abuja-based mobility startup, New Electric Vehicles (NEV).
The initiative is part of the broader National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which aims to significantly enhance local content in vehicle manufacturing to 40%.
The government seeks to boost domestic vehicle production to one million units and create approximately 200,000 jobs within the sector. Enoh highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that many Nigerians still perceive electric vehicles as unattainable. He expressed hope that events like this would shift public perception and demonstrate the viability of electric mobility in Nigeria.
“The milestones outlined in the National Automotive Industrial Development Plan are crucial for our future,” Enoh stated. “We aim to increase the local content of vehicles, produce at least one million vehicles locally, and create job opportunities in this sector. Most importantly, we are committed to ensuring that 30% of our vehicle production is electric.”
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Enoh further emphasized that Nigeria’s path to economic growth and prosperity is contingent upon successful industrialization, particularly within the automotive sector, which encompasses a vast array of value chains. “Electric vehicles are the future, but that future must start today. We must promote it now and ensure that we achieve it.
Today’s unveiling marks the beginning of that journey,” he added.
Halilu Khalil, the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), echoed Enoh’s sentiments, noting that the shift to electric vehicles represents more than just a transition to cleaner transport. It serves as a vital catalyst for revolutionizing Nigeria’s energy sector. Khalil pointed out that with approximately 13 million vehicles on the road, the potential impact of transitioning to electric mobility is significant.
However, he cautioned that this transition cannot be powered by fossil fuels, as that would contradict the essence of sustainability. “For this transition to be effective, we must build the right infrastructure,” Khalil stated, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring that electric mobility is powered by renewable energy sources.
The government’s initiative is timely, given the increasing global focus on sustainable practices and the urgent need to address climate change. By investing in electric vehicles and the necessary infrastructure, Nigeria aims to reduce its carbon footprint while also stimulating economic development and job creation within the automotive sector.
As the country embarks on this transformative journey, the collaboration between government agencies, private enterprises, and innovative startups like NEV will be crucial in realizing these ambitious goals.
The successful implementation of this plan could position Nigeria as a leader in electric mobility in Africa, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
