- Nigerian officials, led by Special Presidential Envoy Ajuri Ngelale and Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, visited CATL in China to discuss a partnership for Evergreen City.
- The talks with CATL, aimed at leveraging their expertise, could enable Nigeria to supply EV batteries to global giants.
The team overseeing Nigeria’s groundbreaking renewable energy technology manufacturing zone, Evergreen City, met with CATL, the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer, in Ningde, China, to discuss a potential partnership. Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action (SPEC), Ajuri Ngelale, announced this development in a statement released at the State House in Abuja.
According to Ngelale, the Nigerian delegation, including Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule and InfraCorp MD Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, visited CATL’s facilities and engaged extensively with the company’s executive management. The discussions focused on exploring a collaboration to develop Evergreen City, which is strategically located and rich in lithium, a critical component for EV battery production.
The proposed partnership aims to leverage CATL’s advanced technologies and financing platforms to support the ambitious goals of Evergreen City. This initiative is expected to position Nigeria as a significant player in the global renewable energy sector, potentially supplying major companies such as Tesla and BMW.
Ngelale commented, “Our visit to CATL’s headquarters and discussions with their leadership provided valuable insights into how their expertise can align with the development of Evergreen City. This collaboration can potentially drive substantial economic growth and technological advancement in Nigeria.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule highlighted the supportive local policies in Nasarawa State, emphasizing the sub-national commitment to facilitating the partnership’s success. Dr. Lazarus Angbazo posed critical questions regarding the specifics of collaboration, underscoring the thoroughness of the ongoing negotiations.
Ngelale concluded, “We are excited about the prospect of integrating a leading EV battery manufacturer like CATL into our lithium-rich zone. Much work ahead of us, but we are committed to updating Nigerians on our progress.”
The partnership discussions mark a significant step forward in Nigeria’s quest to establish Evergreen City as a hub for renewable energy technology, setting the stage for potential groundbreaking advancements in the sector.