- NMDPRA flagged poor electricity, high EV costs, and weak infrastructure as key barriers to Nigeria’s electric mobility transition.
- Experts urged leveraging fuel stations for charging, scaling solar and battery-swapping solutions, setting standards, and mobilising blended finance to drive demand and sustainable adoption.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said on Monday, August 18, that poor electricity supply, high vehicle costs, and weak infrastructure are stalling Nigeria’s transition to electric mobility.
Speaking at a webinar hosted by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), NMDPRA Director of Operations, Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, Mukaila Oseni, warned that without urgent interventions, Nigeria risks lagging behind global trends. He cited International Energy Agency projections of 145 million EVs worldwide by 2030 and argued that Nigeria must act to align with the shift.
Furthermore, Oseni identified unreliable grid power, limited charging infrastructure, high upfront costs, and low public awareness as key barriers. He urged policymakers to leverage Nigeria’s widespread network of fuel stations for EV charging hubs, supported by mini grids for reliability, while using compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas as transitional fuels.
MEMAN’s Chief Executive, Clement Isong, said the industry has set up 12 charging and battery-swapping sites and five after-sales centres across Nigeria. He pointed to solar-powered charging, battery-swapping for two- and three-wheelers, and private sector collaboration as pathways to early adoption.
Other speakers urged a demand-driven strategy, local content growth, stronger standards, and blended finance. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria also warned of unregulated EV models spreading nationwide. At the same time, the Nigeria Off-grid Market Acceleration Programme projected that West Africa could host 9.9 million EVs by 2050, requiring $20 billion in investment.
Nigeria’s EV push comes as fuel costs, currency pressures, and rising transport prices intensify calls for alternatives.