Key facts
- Nigeria approved tax waivers for nearly 4,000 electric vehicles in the first half of 2024.
- The government aims for EVs to constitute 60% of its vehicle fleet by 2050.
- Nigeria's power grid capacity is around 4,000 megawatts for over 200 million people.
- Public EV charging stations are limited, with approximately 48 available as of late 2025.
- Extended-range EVs and hybrid models are seeing increased sales due to charging constraints.
- Electric motorcycles and three-wheelers are seen as a viable near-term electrification option.
Nigeria has approved tax waivers for nearly 4,000 electric vehicles in the first half of 2024 as part of a government program to promote cleaner transport. This initiative aligns with the country's 2022 Energy Transition Plan, which projects electric vehicles to comprise 60% of its fleet by 2050, a significant increase from the current estimated less than 1%.
The government has implemented incentives such as exempting EVs from value-added tax in 2024 and reducing import duties to zero from 5%. The removal of a petrol subsidy in 2023 has also heightened interest in electric alternatives.
However, Nigeria's ambition faces a major hurdle in its chronically underdeveloped power sector. With a national grid capacity of only around 4,000 megawatts serving over 200 million people, the country experiences severe electricity shortages, forcing households and businesses to rely heavily on diesel and petrol generators. This unreliability extends to the EV ecosystem, with charging stations and operators dependent on backup generators.
Despite these challenges, some industry figures believe EV adoption is necessary to avoid being left behind globally. Bolanle Boboye of Saglev noted that even EVs charged by generators can reduce overall emissions. Public charging infrastructure remains limited, with only about 48 stations nationwide as of late 2025, leading many owners to charge at home.
The unreliable electricity supply is also influencing vehicle choices, with extended-range EVs and hybrid models gaining traction. Chinese brands like BYD and Geely are expanding their presence with models suited to inconsistent power. Analysts suggest that electric motorcycles and three-wheelers present the most immediate electrification opportunity, offering substantial fuel savings for users and reducing reliance on the fragile grid through battery-swapping networks.