Hybrid Motors, Launch Design Unveil Ambitious EV Manufacturing Project for Nigeria
Nigeria’s drive towards industrialisation and clean transportation received a major boost following a landmark partnership agreement between Hybrid Motors Nigeria and Launch Design Shanghai to establish electric vehicle manufacturing plants in Lagos and Abuja.
The agreement, signed in Shanghai on May 8, 2026, is expected to strengthen local automobile production, promote technology transfer and accelerate the country’s transition towards sustainable mobility solutions through the development of “Acely,” a Nigerian vehicle brand designed to meet local driving realities.
The partnership is regarded as one of the most ambitious private-sector automotive initiatives in recent years, bringing together Hybrid Motors Nigeria’s local market experience and Launch Design Shanghai’s engineering and automotive technology expertise.
Officials of both companies described the collaboration as a strategic investment capable of transforming Nigeria into a major automotive manufacturing and distribution hub for West Africa and parts of the Sahel region.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Shanghai, the Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, Mr Jubril Arogundade, said the project reflected a bold vision to redefine vehicle manufacturing in Nigeria.
According to him, the initiative demonstrates that globally competitive vehicles can be developed and assembled within the country while maintaining international quality standards.
“This partnership is more than a business agreement; it is a commitment to building Nigeria’s automotive future,” Arogundade said. “With Acely, we are proving that world-class vehicles can be conceived, designed, and assembled right here in Nigeria, by Nigerians, for Nigerians.
“Our collaboration with Launch Design brings world-class engineering expertise directly into our operations, ensuring that Acely meets the highest international standards while remaining authentically Nigerian,” he added.
The Chief Executive Officer of Launch Design, Mr Wang Xun, also expressed optimism about the project, describing Nigeria as one of Africa’s most promising automotive markets.
He noted that the partnership would combine advanced engineering systems with a strong understanding of local market realities to establish a sustainable vehicle manufacturing ecosystem.
“Launch Design is proud to partner with Hybrid Motors Nigeria in this transformative venture,” Wang stated.
“Our turnkey engineering capabilities, combined with Hybrid Motors’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market, create a powerful formula for success. Together, we are not just building vehicles, we are building an industry.”
Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will establish two manufacturing facilities with a projected combined annual production capacity of 70,000 vehicles when fully operational.
The larger facility, expected to be located along the Lekki-Epe axis in Lagos, will function as the primary assembly and production hub with a target annual output of 50,000 units.
The companies explained that the Lagos location was strategically selected because of its commercial advantages and direct access to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which is expected to facilitate exports to neighbouring West African countries such as Ghana, Benin, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire.
They added that the Lagos plant would serve as a key logistics and distribution centre for regional trade and international automotive exports.
The second manufacturing plant will be situated within the Free Zone Business Area of Centenary Economic City in Abuja and will operate as a technology and manufacturing centre with a projected annual production capacity of 20,000 units.
According to the firms, the Abuja facility will focus on servicing Northern Nigeria and nearby Sahel markets while benefitting from Free Zone incentives and the strategic central location of the Federal Capital Territory.
The companies said the decision to establish two separate facilities was aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing transportation and logistics costs and expanding access to employment opportunities across different parts of the country.
Industry experts believe the project could stimulate growth across Nigeria’s automotive value chain by encouraging local component production, workforce training and technology transfer.
Analysts also noted that the initiative could help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported automobiles, conserve scarce foreign exchange and support broader economic diversification efforts.
The Acely brand is expected to focus on locally assembled vehicles featuring energy-efficient systems and advanced technologies specifically adapted to Nigeria’s climate, terrain and transportation demands.
In addition to conventional vehicle production, the project is expected to support the gradual introduction of electric and hybrid propulsion systems in line with global environmental standards and Nigeria’s clean energy goals.
The firms further stated that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s National Automotive Industry Development Plan, which seeks to attract investment, deepen local production capacity and expand Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing industry.
Arogundade described the signing ceremony as a milestone moment for the future of transportation in Nigeria and the wider African region.
“With facilities in Lagos and Abuja serving distinct but complementary markets across Nigeria and the wider region, we are laying the foundation for a new era of mobility – one that is locally rooted, globally competitive, and sustainably driven,” he said.
