During the Beijing Belt and Road Initiative Forum, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) signed memoranda worth $2 billion with three major Chinese companies. The partnerships aim to boost technology transfer and foreign direct investment in Nigeria’s transport, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
The MOUs were signed by NASENI’s CEO, Prof. Khalil Halilu, and executives from Shanghai Launch Automotive Technical Co. Ltd., China Great Wall Industry Corporation, and Newway Power Technology Company Ltd.
Shanghai Launch Automotive will establish an electric vehicle production facility to manufacture new energy vehicles in Nigeria. China Great Wall Industry Corporation will set up an assembly line for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. Newway Power Technology will support lithium batteries, electric vehicles, and related technology transfer to NASENI.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo represented President Bola Tinubu at the forum and described the agreements as key to advancing Nigeria’s economic growth agenda. The deals are aligned with the administration’s aim to attract foreign investment in technology-driven sectors.
Prof. Halilu said the partnerships demonstrate NASENI’s commitment to facilitating foreign direct investment under the Tinubu government. The projects will boost domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and support technology acquisition.
The NASENI CEO called the MOUs significant for building local capacity in electric mobility, drone technology, and lithium battery production. The collaborations will position Nigeria as an automotive and technology hub in Africa.