Nigeria's Electric Vehicle Revolution: Kit-Based Assembly as a Pathway to Adoption

A growing number of Nigerian companies are adopting kit-based assembly to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) into the African market. Notably, Saglev Micromobility Nigeria has partnered with Dongfeng Motor Corporation from Wuhan, China, to assemble 18-seat electric passenger vans from imported kits. This approach allows Nigerian firms to reduce costs, create jobs, and develop local technical expertise, which are essential for expanding EV access. Fully assembled EVs face high tariffs that make them unaffordable for many consumers in Africa, whereas kit-based methods provide a more accessible solution.

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CIG Motors, another key player, operates a kit-assembly plant in Lagos, producing vehicles from Chinese manufacturers such as GAC Motor and Wuling Motors. Their offerings include the Wuling Bingo, a compact electric hatchback, and the Hongguang Mini EV Macaron, designed for ride-share operators seeking low-cost urban transport. NEV Electric focuses on electric buses and three-wheelers aimed at urban transit and last-mile delivery. Saglev's CEO, Olu Faleye, emphasizes that Nigeria's transition to EVs addresses both economic and environmental needs. Electric vehicles could also mitigate Nigeria's agricultural challenges, particularly post-harvest spoilage, which results in the loss of 30–40 million tonnes of food annually due to inadequate logistics and refrigeration. Electric transport solutions could power refrigeration systems, reducing spoilage and improving farmer incomes.

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The kit-based assembly approach adopted by Saglev and other Nigerian manufacturers demonstrates how local assembly can facilitate EV adoption, even in the face of unreliable infrastructure. By utilizing kits, these companies can implement practical electric mobility solutions while simultaneously building the necessary supply chains and technical expertise for more complex manufacturing processes. However, when questioned about the potential for moving beyond kit assembly to independent design and manufacturing, Faleye expressed skepticism, stating, “I don’t believe that the promised land is making a fully built EV on the ground here.” He highlighted that the costs associated with advanced manufacturing technologies, such as robotics and 3D printing, would be prohibitive and unnecessary in the current context.

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Beyond Nigeria, other West African nations are also embracing kit-based assembly. In Mombasa, Kenya, Associated Vehicle Assemblers has begun assembling electric taxis and minibuses from imported kits. Ghana's government is promoting kit-car assembly under its national Automotive Development Plan, providing assemblers with import-duty exemptions and tax breaks. Saglev is already leveraging these benefits at its assembly plant in Accra and plans to expand operations to Cote D’Ivoire.

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• “I don’t believe that the promised land is making a fully built EV on the ground here.” — Olu Faleye, CEO of Saglev Micromobility Nigeria

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• “For me to do efficient vehicle manufacturing, I’d need a lot of robotics and 3D printing. That expense is unnecessary—it would just increase costs and make EVs more expensive.” — Olu Faleye, CEO of Saglev Micromobility Nigeria

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The kit-based assembly model represents a significant step toward establishing a sustainable EV ecosystem in Nigeria, addressing both immediate transportation needs and long-term economic and environmental goals.

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