How Innovation and Clean Technology Are Redefining Mobility in Nigeria — Insights from Harrison Ezeh

March 2nd 2022.

Harrison Ezeh is a product manager with growing influence in Nigeria’s electric vehicle (EV) technology space. At Metro Africa Xpress (MAX), he played a key role in developing and launching solar-charged electric motorcycles and battery charging systems designed for local use. His work helped reduce energy costs for riders by about 50% and supported Nigeria’s broader push toward cleaner, more affordable transportation. Through his product leadership, Harrison helped shape MAX’s EV strategy; from charging infrastructure to the deployment of high-performance EVs which helped shape Nigeria’s early transition into electric mobility, laying the foundation for sustainable transportation across the country.

Today, Harrison continues to advance Nigeria’s clean mobility and climate innovation landscape through his work with Dorewa, a climate-tech startup helping Nigerian businesses achieve carbon neutrality. In this conversation, he shares how technology, partnerships, and innovation are powering a new era of sustainable transport in Nigeria.

What problem were you trying to solve with your work in electric vehicles?

Nigeria’s transport system has long struggled with high fuel costs, pollution, and unreliable energy supply. We saw electric mobility as a practical way to tackle all those issues at once. My focus was on creating cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable transport options for everyday people especially commercial riders who spend most of their income on petrol.

By introducing electric motorcycles, I helped riders cut their energy costs by almost half. This meant they could keep more of their earnings while reducing emissions and noise pollution. But beyond the savings, it proved that clean technology could work in Nigeria. For me, this was about more than vehicles. It was about improving livelihoods and creating a smarter, more sustainable way to move people and goods across the country

What were some of the key innovations you led in Nigeria’s EV space?

At MAX, I led the development and rollout of our electric vehicle products end-to-end. We designed locally adaptable EVs and built custom solar-powered charging systems that monitored battery health and usage. These weren’t imported models. They were tailored for Nigeria’s roads, economy, and customers.

As Product Manager for Electric Vehicles, I led the introduction of battery-swap technology, enabling riders to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in minutes, drastically reducing downtime and increasing daily productivity. I also directed the design and deployment of IoT-enabled telematics, allowing real-time tracking of vehicle performance, energy efficiency, and battery health, tools that gave drivers better insights and the company better data for decision-making.

On the infrastructure side, I coordinated the rollout of solar-powered charging hubs in partnership with renewable energy companies, ensuring continuous, clean energy supply even in off-grid areas. To make EVs financially accessible, I worked with our growth and engineering teams to build digital payment and financing models, including pay-as-you-ride and lease-to-own options powered by mobile technology. These models allowed riders and small business owners to acquire and operate EVs through flexible, affordable plans.

How were you able to adapt electric vehicles to Nigeria’s environment and challenges?

We had to rethink everything from hardware specifications and durability to power sources. Nigeria’s roads and weather can be tough, so we worked closely with engineers to design more resilient components. But the real challenge was charging.

We solved that by partnering with renewable energy providers like Rubitec Solar, who operated mini-grids in communities with limited grid access. I led this collaboration to ensure consistent power for our battery-swapping stations. Interestingly, in rural areas with excess solar energy, EV adoption actually helped absorb surplus power, boosting local power utilization and creating extra income for energy providers. It became a perfect model of how clean transport and renewable energy can reinforce each other.

What were the biggest challenges you faced while developing EV solutions in Nigeria?

Harrison Ezeh: The biggest challenges were charging infrastructure and perception. In the early days, many doubted that EVs could handle Nigeria’s terrain or match the performance of petrol bikes. There was also widespread range anxiety. People feared that batteries would run out before they could find a place to recharge. To tackle this, I organised product demos where riders tested the bikes themselves and saw their daily fuel costs drop by over 40%. That hands-on experience built trust faster than any marketing campaign.

To address the charging challenge, I collaborated with renewable energy partners and local authorities to establish solar-powered battery swap and charging stations, ensuring riders could easily exchange or recharge batteries without downtime. These initiatives reduced range anxiety, improved reliability, and ultimately laid the foundation for Nigeria’s growing EV ecosystem today.

What kind of impact has this work had so far?

The impact of my work in electric mobility has been both measurable and transformative. The EV initiatives I led have directly contributed to cleaner air, higher incomes, and new job opportunities across Nigeria.

For instance, at MAX, the electric vehicles I helped launch have now completed over 1 million trips, saving more than 2,400 tonnes of CO₂ and 2,500 tonnes of greenhouse gases. Beyond the environmental impact, these vehicles have reduced riders’ energy costs by nearly half, improving their earnings and overall quality of life.

What’s most rewarding for me is seeing how this work has created new economic value. From charging station operators and EV technicians to women entrepreneurs who now use MAX’s EVs for delivery and trade. These outcomes show that clean mobility isn’t just about innovation; it’s about empowering people and building a sustainable, inclusive economy.

How is Nigeria’s EV ecosystem evolving compared to other markets?

Nigeria is evolving differently. While Kenya focuses on electric buses and South Africa on private EVs, our progress is led by commercial two- and three-wheelers, the everyday vehicles that power local economies.

We’re also building a digital play to electric mobility, integrating fintech, renewable energy, and local manufacturing. This mirrors what we’ve seen in India’s two-wheeler EV sector. If we keep going in this direction, Nigeria could become Africa’s hub for sustainable transport and climate innovation.

You’ve also worked on climate technology beyond mobility. Can you tell us more about that?

Beyond mobility, I volunteer with Dorewa, a Nigerian climate tech startup, supporting their efforts to make carbon offsetting more accessible for businesses. My role focuses on advising and shaping technology initiatives that enable companies to participate in verified carbon credit projects, helping them reduce their environmental impact.

In addition to this, I have consulted for McKinsey on two and three-wheeler EVs and EV charging stations, helping the client evaluate the operational and environmental benefits of electric mobility solutions. Together, these experiences reflect my commitment to leveraging technology for practical climate impact and sustainable business transformation.

What’s next for you in advancing clean mobility and climate technology?

My goal is to keep building and scaling technology that addresses Africa’s biggest challenges: energy, mobility, and sustainability. Whether through EV platforms, renewable energy systems, or digital finance tools, my mission is to make sustainable technology part of everyday life.

If we can make clean transport as easy to use and finance as mobile data, we’ll not only protect the environment but also transform local economies. That’s the future I’m working toward, a more connected, affordable, and sustainable Nigeria.