The Federal Government, via the National Automotive Design and Development Council, is set to initiate local manufacturing and assembly of electric vehicles.
This initiative includes a planned partnership with a Moroccan firm to boost EV production in Nigeria.
The NADDC Director-General/CEO, Joseph Osanipin, shared these details in an interview after attending the Nigeria-Morocco business forum, according to The Punch.
At the event, Joseph Osanipin showcased various investment opportunities within the Nigerian automotive industry to Moroccan stakeholders. He emphasized key areas for investment, including local components manufacturing, electric vehicles (EVs), EV infrastructure, and gas-powered vehicles, highlighting the potential for growth and collaboration in these sectors.
He added that the delegation visited the National Center for Homologation, a regulatory agency for the automotive sector in Morocco, and two local firms.
The NADDC boss noted that the agency has commenced initial discussion on areas of collaboration with E-move Vehicles Company, a firm involved in EV manufacturing, and Univers Acier Steel, a firm that produces parts used by auto companies.
Osanipin stated that the initiative aims to bolster local production capabilities, improve technological expertise, and decrease reliance on imported vehicles. This approach is expected to foster economic growth while promoting environmental sustainability.
Osanipin said, “We went for Nigeria-Morocco Business Week. After the forum that NADDC participated in with other businesses in Nigeria, we visited the E-move Vehicles Company. A company that manufactures Electric motorcycles, Electric Tricycles and Batteries. It is also a major player in Energy Storage Systems.
“The major attraction and reason for visiting is their expertise in battery manufacturing and manufacturing of economy EVs. We want them to produce in Nigeria.
“Manufacturing the same products in Nigeria will help in our quest for energy transition in mobility. It will create jobs, etc.
“We also visited Univers Acier Steel. They are steel manufacturing companies whose products are used by auto companies.
“We have studied their regulations and identified products we can produce in Nigeria and export to Morocco. The visit gives us the opportunity to know what we need to do quickly and how we can go about them to achieve results.”
“We also visited six test centers for different industries and sectors. We toured Cetiev (Technology Partner for Automotive Industries), this is where all parts are tested before they are certified by Homologation. This is one major way Morocco rids her country of substandard parts.
“We also visited CTPC. This is the center where all plastics are tested. Vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles use a lot of plastic and since our return, we have been working to ensure that this collaboration brings achievable results in the automotive sector, he stated.
