The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria has revealed plans to establish electric vehicle factories in the country, as part of efforts to deepen collaboration in the solid minerals sector.
Yu Dunhai made the disclosure during a visit to Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, in Abuja.
Ambassador Dunhai said the initiative would help unlock the potential of Nigeria’s natural resources and support the country’s industrial development.
“Nigeria is a great country with tremendous natural resources,” the ambassador said, adding that China continues to view Nigeria as a key partner in its foreign policy.
The move comes after high-level talks between President Bola Tinubu and Chinese President Xi Jinping, during Tinubu’s recent visit to China.
Both leaders agreed to elevate their countries’ relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
During the meeting, Minister Alake said Nigeria welcomed “serious investors” in the mining sector and stressed the need for full-cycle investment, from extraction to processing.
“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialisation. That must change,” Alake said.
He pointed to Nigeria’s reserves of lithium as a key opportunity for local manufacturing of batteries and electric vehicles.
Ambassador Dunhai said the Chinese government supported Nigeria’s policy on local value addition, noting that President Xi had made African industrialisation one of his top priorities.
“Plans are underway to establish electric vehicle factories and other manufacturing ventures in Nigeria,” he said.
Chinese companies are already involved in various parts of Nigeria’s mining sector and the ambassador said the aim was to deepen cooperation, particularly in line with Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
He also said Chinese companies had been instructed to adhere strictly to Nigerian laws and uphold environmental and safety standards.
“There is zero tolerance for illegal mining,” the ambassador said, adding that the Chinese government is prepared to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to prosecute offenders.
Minister Alake welcomed the commitment, but warned that the actions of a few bad actors were tarnishing China’s reputation.
He referenced a viral video of a Chinese national allegedly attempting to bribe local security agents, and said action had been taken.
“Such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms,” he said. “We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice.”
Alake also highlighted the impact of a new task force known as the Mining Marshals, set up to tackle illegal mining.
He said the initiative had improved regulatory compliance and increased awareness across the sector.
