Hybrid Motors, Launch Design Shanghai to build large-scale EV lants in Nigeria

Launch Design Shanghai and Hybrid Motors Nigeria have signed a landmark strategic partnership agreement to establish electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants in Lagos and Abuja, marking a significant boost to Nigeria’s automotive and clean mobility ambitions.

The agreement, signed in Shanghai on May 8, 2026, will drive the production of “Acely,” Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s homegrown vehicle brand designed specifically for Nigerian road conditions, climate realities, and driving patterns.

Under the deal, the two firms will establish manufacturing operations with a combined annual production capacity of 70,000 units at full scale.

The Lagos facility, to be located along the Lekki-Epe corridor, will serve as the primary production and assembly hub with a projected annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles. Its proximity to the Lekki Deep Sea Port is expected to enhance export potential to West African markets such as Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire.

The Abuja plant, to be situated within the Free Zone Business Area of Centenary Economic City, will function as a secondary manufacturing and technology centre with a targeted annual output of 20,000 units.

The facility is expected to serve Northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahel markets while leveraging Free Zone incentives and Abuja’s strategic geographic location.

The companies said the dual-facility structure would reduce logistics costs, enhance operational efficiency, and stimulate employment across multiple regions of the country.

Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, Mr. Jubril Arogundade, described the partnership as a defining milestone for the country’s industrial development.

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“This partnership is more than a business agreement; it is a commitment to building Nigeria’s automotive future,” Arogundade said.

“With Acely, we are proving that world-class vehicles can be conceived, designed, and assembled right here in Nigeria, by Nigerians, for Nigerians. Our collaboration with Launch Design brings world-class engineering expertise directly into our operations, ensuring that Acely meets the highest international standards while remaining authentically Nigerian.”

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of Launch Design Shanghai, Mr. Wang Xun, said the collaboration presents an opportunity to contribute to Africa’s growing automotive manufacturing ecosystem.

“Our turnkey engineering capabilities, combined with Hybrid Motors’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market, create a powerful formula for success. Together, we are not just building vehicles — we are building an industry,” he said.

The Acely vehicles are expected to emphasize local assembly, energy efficiency, and advanced automotive technologies tailored to Nigeria’s mobility demands.

The companies noted that the initiative would promote the gradual adoption of electric and hybrid propulsion systems in line with global sustainability trends and Nigeria’s clean energy objectives.

Industry analysts say the partnership could strengthen Nigeria’s automotive value chain by encouraging local component manufacturing, facilitating technology transfer, and expanding skills development within the sector.

“This is a strategic move that could reduce dependence on vehicle imports and conserve foreign exchange,” said an automotive policy expert in Lagos. “If successfully implemented, it could reposition Nigeria as a regional automotive manufacturing hub.”

The project aligns with the Federal Government’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which seeks to deepen local vehicle production and attract investment into Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.

“With facilities in Lagos and Abuja serving distinct but complementary markets across Nigeria and the wider region, we are laying the foundation for a new era of mobility — one that is locally rooted, globally competitive, and sustainably driven,” Arogundade said.