Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd. has unveiled its first electric commercial trucks in Lagos, marking a new phase in Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing industry and its transition to cleaner transportation.
The Vice-President of Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin, said at the rollout ceremony in Lagos on Sunday that the introduction of electric commercial vehicles marked another milestone in the company’s efforts to bring advanced automotive technology to Nigeria.
Edwin said the joint venture was established to develop a world-class commercial vehicle business, strengthen local assembly capabilities, create employment and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
He said the company’s product portfolio had expanded from heavy-duty trucks to tippers, light trucks, pickups and buses to meet the country’s transportation needs.
“The introduction of electric vehicles follows the company’s earlier adoption of compressed natural gas technology as part of efforts to embrace more sustainable transportation solutions,” he said.
Edwin noted that electric commercial vehicles offered opportunities to reduce operating costs and tailpipe emissions, depending on electricity costs, vehicle applications, availability of charging infrastructure, technical expertise, spare parts and efficient after-sales support.
“We are already getting ready with a strong after-sales support. We have set up our team, and we are also going to support in terms of charging facilities and other technical expertise required,” he said.
He said the company would work with partners, customers and government stakeholders to develop the electric vehicle ecosystem in Nigeria.
Edwin explained that Dangote Group’s ambition was to develop Dangote Sinotruk into one of West Africa’s leading automotive assembly and manufacturing businesses.
He added that the partnership would strengthen local assembly, facilitate technology transfer, develop Nigerian technical talent, increase local value addition and create more employment opportunities.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria could become a regional hub for commercial vehicle manufacturing, citing its large market, industrial base and entrepreneurial capacity.
President, Sinotruk Group, Liu Wei, described the development as a historic milestone, saying the vehicle was the first new-energy truck to be assembled on the African continent.
Liu said the development demonstrated the commitment of the joint venture between Dangote Group and Sinotruk to advancing Africa’s industrialisation and supporting Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy.
He said the partnership, which began in 2013, formally established a joint venture in 2014 and had since evolved from vehicle assembly to more advanced manufacturing operations.
According to him, the joint venture assembled its first heavy-duty truck in 2017, while its commercial vehicle welding and eco-coating paint line began operations in 2024. He said the company had assembled more than 8,000 vehicles locally over the past decade.
Liu said the partnership would continue to upgrade its production lines, expand manufacturing capacity and strengthen local technical expertise to serve Nigeria and the wider West African market.
He added that the company planned to expand its product range to include heavy-duty trucks, light trucks, pickups, trailers and vehicle body-building.
The Sinotruk president also pledged increased training opportunities for Nigerian engineers and technicians, including opportunities for practical training in China.
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, represented by the Managing Director of Lagos Bus Services, Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, described the rollout as a significant development in Nigeria’s industrial history.
He said local assembly of electric trucks would provide opportunities to reduce emissions, lower long-term transportation costs and equip Nigerian engineers and technicians with skills in electric vehicle technology.
According to him, the initiative will also strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to develop a competitive automotive and battery manufacturing industry.
He commended Dangote Group for its investment and called for more private-sector initiatives capable of advancing sustainable transportation and industrial development.
The Ologba of Ogba Kingdom, Oba Latif Egbeyemi, also commended Dangote Group for investing in cleaner transportation technology, describing the initiative as a bold step towards sustainable industrial development.
Egbeyemi urged the company to prioritise local content, professional training and the development of Nigerian engineers and technicians.
He also called for stronger engagement with the host community through corporate social responsibility initiatives, environmental protection and youth empowerment.
The traditional ruler urged government and relevant regulatory agencies to provide supportive policies and infrastructure, including reliable electricity, charging facilities, appropriate standards and incentives for local manufacturing and assembly.
The Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Akeem Dauda, said the development was a source of pride to the council, noting that the investment further reinforced Ikeja’s position as a centre of commerce, industry, technology and enterprise.
Dauda commended Dangote Group’s commitment to industrialisation, job creation and local capacity development.
He said the electric truck rollout presented opportunities for employment generation, skills acquisition, technology transfer and business growth within Ikeja and beyond.
He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting investments through an enabling business environment, improved infrastructure and partnerships that delivered economic benefits to residents.
Dauda said collaboration between government and the private sector remained essential to achieving sustainable economic development.
SOURCE: icirnigeria.org (NAN)