Launch Design, Hybrid Motors Partner to Establish EV Manufacturing Plants in Lagos, Abuja
Oru Leonard
Nigeria’s push toward cleaner transportation and local vehicle manufacturing has received a boost following a new strategic partnership between China’s Launch Design Shanghai and Hybrid Motors Nigeria to establish electric vehicle production facilities in Lagos and Abuja.
The agreement, signed in Shanghai on May 8, 2026, is expected to accelerate the development of Nigeria’s electric vehicle ecosystem through local assembly, technology transfer, workforce development, and supply chain expansion.
The collaboration will focus on the production of “Acely,” Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s indigenous electric vehicle brand tailored to Nigerian roads and market realities.
Under the arrangement, the two companies plan to develop dual manufacturing hubs in Lagos and Abuja, combining advanced automotive engineering with local manufacturing capabilities to strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, Mr. Jubril Arogundade, described the partnership as a major step toward transforming Nigeria into a competitive automotive manufacturing destination.
He said the Acely brand reflects a blend of local expertise and global engineering standards.
“This partnership goes beyond vehicle production. It represents a long-term commitment to Nigeria’s industrial future and sustainable mobility aspirations,” Arogundade said.
“We believe that world-class vehicles can be built in Nigeria for local and regional markets. By working with Launch Design, we are bringing cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing expertise into our operations while maintaining a strong Nigerian identity for the Acely brand.”
Chief Executive Officer of Launch Design Shanghai, Mr. Wang Xun, said the company was pleased to collaborate with Hybrid Motors Nigeria in what he called a transformative industrial venture.
“Our engineering expertise and Hybrid Motors’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market create a strong foundation for success. This initiative is not only about producing vehicles but also about developing a sustainable automotive manufacturing ecosystem,” Wang said.
As part of the agreement, Launch Design Shanghai will provide engineering support covering vehicle architecture, manufacturing systems, design optimisation, and quality assurance processes.
The proposed manufacturing operations are expected to have a combined annual production capacity of 70,000 units when fully operational.
The Lagos plant, located along the Lekki-Epe corridor, will function as the primary assembly and production hub with a projected annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles. Its proximity to the Lekki Deep Sea Port is expected to support export activities to markets across West Africa, including Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The Abuja facility, to be situated within the Free Zone Business Area of Centenary Economic City, will serve as a secondary production and technology centre with an estimated annual output of 20,000 units.
According to the companies, the Abuja plant is strategically positioned to serve Northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahel markets while benefiting from trade incentives and improved access to regional transport corridors.
The firms noted that the dual-location strategy would help reduce logistics costs, enhance operational efficiency, and stimulate job creation across different parts of the country.
They added that Acely vehicles would feature market-specific designs adapted to Nigerian terrain and climate conditions while incorporating advanced electric and hybrid propulsion technologies.
The partnership is also expected to support Nigeria’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan by encouraging industrial diversification, reducing reliance on imported vehicles, strengthening local supply chains, and promoting environmentally sustainable transportation.
Arogundade described the signing ceremony in Shanghai as a landmark moment for Nigeria’s automotive sector.
“With facilities in Lagos and Abuja serving complementary markets within Nigeria and beyond, we are laying the foundation for a new era of mobility that is innovative, sustainable, and proudly African,” he said.
