Nigeria, BAIC Collaborate on EV Battery Swap

Beulah Godfrey

May 19, 2025
2 min read

The Federal Government has begun talks with China’s BAIC Motor Corporation Limited to explore the use of battery swap technology in Nigeria. This move aims to support Nigeria’s clean energy goals and transform the country’s transportation system.

Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), shared this update on X (formerly Twitter). He said the discussions focused on how Nigeria can adopt BAIC’s advanced battery swap technology to promote sustainable transportation.

According to Dr. Abdullahi, BAIC’s team visited the ECN headquarters for the meeting. He said the discussions marked the beginning of what could become a long-term partnership. BAIC’s representatives, Mr. Tan Jian Alex and Mr. Lv Haiming, joined other key Nigerian stakeholders at the meeting. These included Dr. Silas Agara, Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Ambassador Nicholas Agbo, Mr. Madisah Haruna, and Mr. George Anuga (SAN).

Dr. Abdullahi confirmed that ECN remains committed to working with international partners to bring innovation and sustainability to Nigeria’s energy and transportation sectors.

What Is Battery Swap Technology?

Battery swap technology allows electric vehicle (EV) owners to quickly replace a used battery with a fully charged one. This solves the long wait time that often comes with charging electric vehicles.

This solution is already growing fast in China. For example, Chinese EV company Nio has built more than 3,300 battery swap stations across the country. Also, battery manufacturer CATL recently partnered with oil company Sinopec to create a national battery-swapping system, according to the BBC. Now, Nigeria is looking to bring similar technology to improve its EV market.

Nigeria’s Push for Cleaner and Greener Transportation

This new partnership with BAIC adds to Nigeria’s recent efforts to go green. In March 2025, the Federal Government approved N151.9 billion to support the use of electric buses, tricycles, and charging stations in the North-East. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions, promote green mobility, and increase the use of electric vehicles in underserved areas.

As Nigeria continues to pursue its Renewed Hope Agenda, partnerships like this one with BAIC Motor Corporation highlight the country’s commitment to clean energy, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.