…Acely brand to spearhead local electric vehicle production as company targets 70,000-unit annual capacity and nationwide charging network.
Hybrid Motors Nigeria has secured approximately $95 million in investment commitments to establish electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants and a nationwide charging infrastructure network, marking one of the most ambitious private-sector clean mobility projects in Nigeria to date.
The investment follows the signing of two strategic partnerships in China. The first is with automotive engineering company Launch Design Shanghai to develop EV manufacturing facilities in Lagos and Abuja, while the second is with a Chinese charging technology firm to deploy large-scale EV charging stations across the country.
Jubril Arogundade, Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, stated that the initiative is designed to move Nigeria’s electric mobility sector beyond vehicle imports and pilot programmes into full-scale local manufacturing, supported by robust charging infrastructure.
According to him, about $75 million will be invested in the manufacturing facilities, while an additional $20 million will fund the rollout of charging stations, bringing the total investment value to approximately $95 million.
The project aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to deepen local vehicle production under the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) and accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation technologies.
Under an agreement signed with Launch Design Shanghai on May 8, 2026, Hybrid Motors will establish manufacturing facilities in Lagos and Abuja with a combined annual production capacity of 70,000 vehicles when fully operational.
The Lagos plant, located within the Lekki Free Trade Zone, will serve as the primary production hub with a projected annual capacity of 50,000 units, while the Abuja facility in Centenary City Free Zone is expected to produce up to 20,000 units annually.
Arogundade disclosed that land acquisition has been completed and construction work is already underway, with plans to officially unveil the factories in the first quarter of 2027.
“The factory will be launched early next year by Q1 2027. The land has been secured and we are building now,” he said.
The company plans to begin with an initial production target of 7,000 vehicles in its first year of operation. Assembly activities are expected to commence as early as September or October 2026 using prototype units imported from China ahead of full-scale manufacturing.
At the heart of the project is Acely, a new electric vehicle brand being developed specifically for Nigerian roads and operating conditions.
Unlike many existing assembly operations that rely largely on Semi Knocked Down (SKD) kits, Hybrid Motors said the partnership includes the establishment of a dedicated research and development centre in Nigeria to design and adapt vehicles for local climate conditions, road networks and consumer needs.
“This is not only about regular vehicle assembly. We are establishing a research and development centre in Nigeria to support the design and development of vehicles specifically built for Nigerian use,” Arogundade said.
The company believes the Acely brand will help reduce dependence on imported vehicles while promoting local engineering expertise and technology transfer.
Launch Design Shanghai brings significant industry experience to the partnership, having worked with global automotive manufacturers and supported the development of numerous vehicle models, including projects linked to Chinese EV giant BYD.
Beyond vehicle production, Hybrid Motors is also investing heavily in charging infrastructure to address one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption in Nigeria.
The company has signed a separate agreement with a leading Chinese charging technology provider to deploy 110 mega charging stations across Lagos and Abuja over the next four years.
The charging network project, valued at approximately $20 million, will feature stations equipped with 12 charging bays capable of serving up to 24 vehicles simultaneously.
According to Arogundade, the fast-charging technology will enable vehicles to achieve a full charge in about 30 minutes.
“Each station will contain 12 charging bays and those bays can charge 24 vehicles at a time. A full charge can be completed in roughly 30 minutes,” he said.
The first prototype charging station is already under development in Victoria Island, Lagos, while equipment shipments are en route from China.
The company believes the charging network will remove one of the major concerns potential EV buyers have regarding access to charging facilities.
