Nigeria, China Explore Partnership in Mining, Electric Vehicle Manufacturing

Omolabake Fasogbon

In driving Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic diversification efforts, the  Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), China-Africa Geoscience Cooperation Centre, and Chinese automaker Yangtse Automotive Group have come together to strategise on business opportunities in the mining and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. 

The move was crucial to revive the local manufacturing base and position the country as a regional hub for clean mobility and energy innovation.

Speaking during a meeting at the NCSP office in Abuja, recently, Director General of the NCSP, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, said that the partnership aligns with Nigeria’s industrial transformation goals under the Tinubu-led administration.

“Nigeria must urgently reindustrialise by attracting serious, long-term foreign investment. With China’s technological expertise and capital, we have an opportunity to build a resilient and globally competitive industrial ecosystem,” Tegbe said.

He further identified multiple investment opportunities across the EV value chain, including mineral extraction, battery storage, vehicle manufacturing, and charging infrastructure. He stated that the initiative complements efforts already underway in the solid minerals sector led by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake.

Representing the Chinese delegation, Secretary General of the China-Africa Geoscience Cooperation Centre, Prof. Hu Peng, reiterated China’s commitment to deepening strategic cooperation with African nations, particularly Nigeria.

“We have maintained long-standing collaboration with Nigeria in geoscience research and capacity building. Our partners, including Yangtse Automotive and Hubei Wan New Energy, are prepared to invest and support Nigeria’s growing industrial sector,” he said. 

At the meeting, the parties agreed on a framework to facilitate the proposed investment which includes a formal expression of interest from the Chinese firms to the NCSP and a forthcoming technical assessment visit by the NCSP to Hubei Wan New Energy’s facilities in China.

The engagement remains part of the NCSP’s broader mandate to attract credible international partnerships to stimulate manufacturing, generate employment, and accelerate Nigeria’s industrial development.