The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a leading automotive manufacturing hub in Africa following a strategic meeting with the Asia Economic Development Committee (AEDC) on electric vehicle (EV) technology transfer, local manufacturing, and capacity development.
The high-level meeting took place at the NADDC headquarters in Abuja on January 29, 2026, and brought together senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, NADDC management, AEDC members, and automotive sector players.
Welcoming the delegation, NADDC Director-General, Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin, said Nigeria was ready to work with international partners to grow its automotive industry and strengthen local capacity. He said collaboration was important for accelerating development.
Speaking at the meeting, AEDC Chairman, Mr. Yoon Suk-hun, said the committee was committed to transferring EV technology to Nigeria, drawing lessons from Korea’s industrial development model. He said Nigeria has the potential to develop national automobile brands with the right partnerships.
Discussions focused on technology transfer, local manufacturing, and opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand exports. Presentations highlighted Nigeria’s growing automotive capacity, including local assembly operations by NEV Electric Motors and Lanre Shittu Motors.
The NADDC also presented the Nigeria Automotive Industrial Development Plan (NAIDP), which targets investment promotion, market expansion, local component development, and capacity building across the automotive value chain.
In closing remarks, representatives of NADDC and AEDC expressed optimism about the partnership and assured that steps would be taken to execute the proposed memorandum of understanding, paving the way for large-scale EV manufacturing, skills development, and sustainable growth in Nigeria.
