The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country, passing the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill 2025 for its second reading. The legislation aims to create a national framework for Nigeria’s shift to EVs, promote local manufacturing, and strengthen the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the bill received broad support from lawmakers, who outlined strategies for transitioning to electric mobility through local content development, foreign partnerships, and nationwide charging infrastructure. According to Kalu, the law aims to transform Nigeria’s automotive and energy sectors, foster innovation, and create jobs across the manufacturing value chain.
The bill provides various incentives for EV users and investors, including tax holidays, import duty waivers, toll exemptions, subsidies, and road tax reliefs. It also mandates the installation of charging stations in all fuel outlets nationwide. Additionally, foreign automakers will be required to partner with licensed Nigerian assemblers and establish local assembly plants within three years, with at least 30 percent local content sourcing by 2030.
The legislation also seeks to make Nigeria a hub for EV manufacturing in Africa by mandating that assemblers produce a minimum of 5,000 units annually and meet international safety and technical standards. Investors establishing charging stations will also qualify for government grants and tax credits. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described the bill as a forward-looking legislative effort aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s economic diversification and clean energy agenda.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Industry for further review and is expected to return to the chamber within four weeks. If passed into law, the legislation is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s automotive and energy sectors, promoting sustainable development and reducing the country’s carbon footprint. The move is also seen as a step towards diversifying Nigeria’s economy, which has long been reliant on oil exports. With the global shift towards electric vehicles gaining momentum, Nigeria’s efforts to promote EV adoption and manufacturing are likely to have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economic and environmental future.