Nigeria has taken another step toward entering the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing space after signing a new cooperation agreement with South Korea.In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) announced that both countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing electric vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure in Nigeria.
The agreement is expected to begin with vehicle assembly before gradually expanding into full local production, alongside the rollout of EV charging stations across the country. Officials say the partnership will focus on technology transfer, skills development, and building local capacity in the automotive sector.
Government sources indicate that the project could create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, particularly in manufacturing, engineering, and support services, while helping Nigeria reduce its reliance on imported vehicles and fossil fuels.
The move aligns with Nigeria’s broader energy-transition agenda and efforts to revive domestic manufacturing under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan. It also reflects growing interest among African economies in electric mobility as fuel costs rise and climate pressures intensify.
While timelines and investment figures have not yet been fully disclosed, analysts say the agreement signals Nigeria’s intent to position itself as a serious player in Africa’s emerging electric vehicle market—provided policy consistency, power supply, and infrastructure challenges are addressed.