Nigeria’s Push for Electric Mobility: A Leap Forward Amid Challenges
Nigeria has taken a significant step toward promoting electric mobility by approving tax waivers for nearly 4,000 electric vehicles (EVs) imported into the country during the first half of 2026. This move is part of a broader initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of cleaner transportation options. Despite ongoing challenges such as electricity shortages and limited charging infrastructure, the government continues to push forward with its vision for a more sustainable transport system.
The approvals, which were reviewed by Reuters, mark the first batch processed under a new program designed to encourage the use of electric vehicles through tax incentives and local assembly initiatives. The Federal Government’s efforts reflect a growing commitment to transitioning away from traditional petrol and diesel-powered vehicles, even though the nation’s electricity supply remains insufficient to support large-scale EV adoption.
The 2022 Energy Transition Plan outlines an ambitious goal: electric vehicles should account for 60% of the country’s vehicle fleet by 2050. However, Nigeria is still in the early stages of this transition. Official data on the current number of electric vehicles on Nigerian roads is not publicly available, but estimates suggest that EVs make up less than 1% of the total vehicle fleet—roughly tens of thousands of vehicles.
To make electric vehicles more competitive, the government has introduced several fiscal measures. In 2024, it exempted EVs from value-added tax, and this year, import duties on EVs were reduced to zero from 5%. These changes come in the wake of higher petrol prices following the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023, making fuel-efficient and electric mobility options increasingly appealing to both private and commercial users.
However, the biggest hurdle for Nigeria’s electric vehicle ambitions may be the same infrastructure that supports the technology: electricity. The national grid supplies around 4,000 megawatts to a population of over 200 million people, resulting in one of the lowest levels of per-capita electricity availability among major economies. As a result, millions of households and businesses rely on generators to supplement unreliable grid power. This dependence has extended into the emerging EV market, where charging stations, dealerships, and battery-swapping operators often use generators to keep operations running when the grid fails.
Industry experts argue that waiting for the electricity system to become fully reliable before expanding electric mobility could leave Nigeria behind other emerging markets. Bolanle Boboye, an executive at Saglev, Nigeria’s first electric vehicle manufacturer affiliated with Chinese automaker Dongfeng, emphasized the need for simultaneous energy and transport transitions. “If we wait for electricity to become perfect before adopting EVs, the rest of the world will leave us behind,” she said.
Even in regions where electricity generation is not entirely clean, electric vehicles can still offer environmental benefits. For example, using diesel-generated electricity to charge EVs can still lead to lower overall emissions compared to traditional combustion engines.
Despite these challenges, the demand for electric vehicles is growing. Extended-range electric vehicles, which combine battery propulsion with a small fuel-powered range extender, have become increasingly popular due to their ability to reduce dependence on charging infrastructure. Sales of such vehicles have doubled this year as Nigerian consumers seek a balance between lower running costs and the security of a fuel backup.
Other manufacturers are also adapting their strategies. Chinese automakers like BYD and Geely have expanded their presence in Nigeria with electric and hybrid models, which industry executives say are better suited for a market with unreliable electricity supply.
Tim Motors, the Nigerian partner of Geely, reported that new-energy vehicles currently account for about 2% of its sales. The company sees potential in Nigeria’s large automotive market, which is dominated by second-hand vehicles. “We want to change that,” said Leon Zhan, head of Tim Motors.
While electric cars are gaining attention, analysts believe that motorcycles and tricycles could offer a faster route to mass electrification in Nigeria. With over 15 million motorcycles on the road, many commercial operators have been significantly affected by rising petrol prices. Electric motorcycles and tricycles offer substantial cost savings, reducing operating expenses by about two-thirds compared to petrol-powered alternatives.
Mobility companies such as MAX and Spiro are investing in battery-swapping networks, allowing riders to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones quickly. This model reduces downtime and provides a solution to the lack of charging infrastructure.
The Federal Government’s decision to waive taxes on nearly 4,000 EVs in the first half of the year represents a key policy push. While tax incentives can help reduce upfront costs and encourage adoption, they alone may not be sufficient to drive mass acceptance in a country where uncertainty about recharging options remains high. The path ahead is challenging, but the momentum for electric mobility in Nigeria continues to grow.
