Nigeria’s EV adoption hinges on investment, skills

For Africa’s most populous country to drive the growth of electric vehicles for sustainable mobility, significant investment in infrastructure and technical training must be made.

Since the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Nigeria, infrastructural issues, like inadequate charging stations and poor energy supply, have limited accessibility to these vehicles as well, and it remains unaffordable for many Nigerians.

An electric vehicle (EV) is one propelled by one or more electric motors that are powered by rechargeable batteries, which are in turn charged by electricity, the frequency of which depends on the capacity of the batteries and the distances travelled by the vehicles.

Electric vehicles were introduced into the Nigerian automobile market in 2018, and as interest in EVs started growing globally, Nigerians in tech and auto companies began exploring the viability and potential benefits of EVs, such as reduced carbon emissions, lower maintenance, and conversations around climate change and green energy gave it more traction.

Mordor Intelligence, 2023, reported that in 2021, the EV market in Africa was valued at $11.94 billion, which is projected to reach $21.39 billion by 2027.

Also, according to a global EV outlook in 2023, based on the global decarbonisation objective, the EV market is growing.

The report showed that 14 percent of all new cars sold in China in 2022 were electric vehicles, amounting to a total of about 26 million EVs on their roads. Hence, China, Europe, and the United States have the highest number of EVs with 13.9, 9.5, and 3 million EVs, respectively, which shows the potential EVs have in a country.

It also showed that most of the countries in Africa are investing hugely in the power sector towards expanding energy access while promoting environmental sustainability, but inadequate electricity is hindering their growth.

A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), experts in automobile technology, stated that electric vehicles (EVs), if supported by stakeholders, will ease Nigeria’s transportation challenges and drive sustainable development.

Gbenga Bada, an automotive technician, urged the government to create more awareness about the benefits of EVs as well as invest in the infrastructure that would stimulate their growth.

Bada said that many Nigerians are still unaware of the benefits and availability of EVs, while noting that there are also skills and maintenance gaps.

“There is a need for more trained technicians for EV maintenance,’’ he told NAN.

Bada acknowledged the government’s efforts through agencies like the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) in promoting EV adoption.

According to him, there is a growing EV presence, and estimates suggest there are now between 15,000 to 20,000 EVs on Nigerian roads as of early 2025, which is a significant increase from previous years.

He also said the Nigerian market offers considerable potential for EVs growth with its large, growing population, and increasing urbanisation, adding that through private sector initiatives, global brands were already making their presence felt in Abuja and Lagos.

A research by The Energy for Growth Hub titled “Who in Africa is ready for EVs?” showed that while Africa faces unique challenges in EV adoption, several countries like Seychelles, Morocco, Mauritius, and South Africa are following adoption trends similar to more mature global markets.

“They have market and infrastructural conditions that closely resemble those of developed countries, including higher motorisation rates, more mature power grids, and expanding public charging networks.

“These conditions enable EV adoption to progress through conventional pathways typically seen in more advanced markets, with a major focus on passenger vehicles, public charging infrastructure roll-out, and fleet electrification in both public transit and commercial sectors,” the report stated.