By Boluwatife Oshadiya | May 29, 2026
Key Points
- The Federal Government says it will prioritise local content and innovation in Nigeria’s electric vehicle industry
- Officials identified financing, charging infrastructure, and weak industry standards as major challenges facing the sector
- EVAMAN elected new executives as stakeholders push to position Nigeria as a regional electric mobility hub
Main Story
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of Nigeria’s electric vehicle (EV) industry through policies focused on local content development, technology transfer, innovation, and industrial expansion.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, made the commitment during the inaugural meeting of the Electric Vehicle Assemblers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EVAMAN) in Abuja.
Represented by the National Coordinator of the Strategy Implementation Task Office for Presidential Executive Order No. 5, Mr Ibiam Oguejiofor, the minister said the government was working to ensure Nigerian expertise, businesses, and resources play a central role in the country’s industrial future.
According to him, Presidential Executive Order No. 5 remains a key framework for promoting indigenous participation in science, engineering, and technology-driven projects.
The ministry said it is collaborating with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to institutionalise local content policies across strategic sectors including clean transportation, renewable energy, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing.
The development comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels amid rising global investments in clean energy and sustainable transportation.
EVAMAN President, Mr Mustapha Audu, said the association had expanded its membership base to include vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure providers, renewable energy specialists, investors, and researchers.
He added that the association had secured registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and strengthened engagement with both government agencies and private sector stakeholders.
Industry experts estimate that Africa’s electric mobility market could witness significant growth over the next decade as countries push for cleaner transportation systems and reduced carbon emissions.
The Issues
Nigeria’s electric vehicle ecosystem remains in its early stages, with stakeholders facing persistent challenges including inadequate charging infrastructure, limited financing, inconsistent regulation, and unreliable electricity supply.
Despite growing interest from private investors and energy firms, analysts say the sector still lacks comprehensive national standards for EV manufacturing, battery management, charging systems, and consumer incentives.
The transition to electric mobility also depends heavily on broader reforms within Nigeria’s power sector, as renewable energy integration and stable electricity generation remain critical to large-scale EV adoption.
What’s Being Said
“Our objective is clear and unwavering: Nigerian talent, Nigerian resources, Nigerian technology and Nigerian enterprises must occupy a central place in the country’s industrial future,” said Dr Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
“Nigeria has enormous potential to become a major player in Africa’s electric mobility revolution,” said Mustapha Audu, President of EVAMAN.
The Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Zahrah Audu, also said the electric vehicle sector could stimulate growth across manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, and technology industries.
Meanwhile, operations and strategy consultant Gift Agboro identified access to finance, poor industry data, and weak charging infrastructure as major barriers slowing sector growth.
What’s Next
- EVAMAN is expected to deepen engagement with regulators and investors to accelerate industry coordination and infrastructure development
- The Federal Government may introduce additional incentives and local content policies targeting clean transportation and renewable energy sectors
- Private operators are likely to expand investments in electric buses, solar-powered charging systems, and battery technology across major Nigerian cities
Bottom Line
The Bottom Line: Nigeria’s push into electric mobility reflects a broader industrial transition toward cleaner energy and technology-driven manufacturing. However, without major investments in infrastructure, power stability, financing access, and regulatory clarity, the country’s ambition to become a regional EV hub could face significant implementation hurdles.
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