By Victoria Attah
Nigeria’s push for cleaner transportation and local industrial growth received a boost as Chinese automotive engineering firm Launch Design Shanghai and Hybrid Motors Nigeria signed a strategic partnership agreement to establish electric vehicle manufacturing plants in Lagos and Abuja.
The agreement, signed in Shanghai on May 8, is expected to drive local electric vehicle production, create jobs, and deepen technology transfer within Nigeria’s growing automotive sector.
Under the partnership, the companies will jointly manufacture and assemble “Acely,” Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s indigenous vehicle brand developed for Nigerian roads and consumers.
The planned facilities will be located along the Lekki-Epe corridor in Lagos and within the Free Zone Business Area of Centenary Economic City in Abuja.
According to the firms, the Lagos plant will serve as the primary production and assembly hub with a projected annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles, while the Abuja facility is expected to produce about 20,000 units yearly as operations mature.
The companies said the dual-plant arrangement is designed to reduce logistics costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and expand market access across Nigeria and West Africa.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Launch Design, Wang Xun, described the partnership as a transformative venture for Africa’s automotive industry.
He said the collaboration combines advanced engineering expertise with strong local market understanding to build a sustainable vehicle manufacturing ecosystem in Nigeria.
Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, Jubril Arogundade, said the Acely brand reflects the growing capacity for world-class automotive production within Nigeria.
He noted that the project would support local assembly, workforce development, and innovation while positioning Nigeria as a competitive player within Africa’s automotive value chain.
According to the companies, the partnership will focus on vehicle designs suited to Nigerian terrain and climate conditions, while gradually increasing the use of electric and hybrid propulsion technologies.
Launch Design Shanghai is expected to provide engineering support covering vehicle architecture, manufacturing systems, design optimisation, and quality assurance processes.
The firms also projected that the initiative would stimulate employment opportunities, reduce dependence on imported vehicles, strengthen local supply chains, and contribute to Nigeria’s transition toward cleaner transportation systems.
Industry stakeholders say the agreement aligns with Nigeria’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan and reflects growing interest in local manufacturing as the country seeks to diversify its economy and expand sustainable mobility infrastructure.
