Nigeria’s EV push hangs on infrastructure, skills

Nigeria’s push for electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, but the journey to widespread adoption depends on addressing the infrastructure and skills gap challenges, experts say.

The experts who spoke at a recent EV training workshop for roadside mechanics said the country must address the two critical challenges that face the country’s EV ambition.

Dapo Adeshina, president, Electric Mobility Promoters Association of Nigeria (EMPN), said that while Nigeria may not yet have all the infrastructure in place, the country is ready for electric vehicles, given the high cost of petrol and ongoing private efforts to build battery swap stations across cities.

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Adeshina added that for e-mobility to actually grow, Nigeria needs to build the capacity of persons who have ready manpower, can maintain and repair these vehicles, so that when people put their vehicles, including keke or bikes (Okada), or cars, they are not stranded.

“If I happen to meet the minister of transportation, I will tell him that we need to first of all build massive infrastructure,” Adeshina said, stressing the need for city-wide charging stations, low-interest loans for buyers, and tax concessions on imported EVs to make them competitive with petrol-powered vehicles.

As Nigeria grapples with high fuel prices and the call for sustainable mobility grows, industry players say charging infrastructure and skilled technicians will determine the pace of adoption.

Sebastian Gross, project manager Social Entrepreneurship at Siemens Stiftung, said the absence of skilled technicians has slowed EV adoption, noting that training will equip existing mechanics with the necessary skills so that customers feel comfortable

“One of the barriers is actually, where do I service my electric vehicle?” said Gruss, stressing that training roadside mechanics is critical to reassure drivers that they can find competent service close to home.

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He emphasised the importance of collaboration to support the transition to electric mobility, adding that the Siemens Foundation would continue to support local entrepreneurs and solutions toward boosting Nigeria’s economy.

Gad Ashiagbor, executive director at Africanev, argued that without skilled technicians and the right systems in place, the adoption of electric vehicles will remain slow.

Ashiagbor noted that Africa represents about 1 percent of the global automotive market, adding that price and capacity are the biggest hurdles.

“When we buy these products, we want to be assured that we have competent, reliable people who can repair them for us when there are spots or they have issues,” he said.