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By Olakunle Olafioye
Nigeria’s transition to clean and sustainable transportation received a major boost on Monday as CAWIN Mobility, in partnership with Blue Camel Energy and Joint Sustainable Energy, unveiled over 500 electric vehicles (EVs) for commercial operations in Abuja and announced plans to develop 10 solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations across the country.
The initiative, unveiled during the Abuja Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem Strategic Partnership and Asset Handover Ceremony in Abuja, is expected to strengthen the country’s electric mobility infrastructure while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
As part of the programme, the partners signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering the development of Nigeria’s first pilot EV charging station and a network of 10 hybrid solar-powered charging stations, the deployment of between 400 and 500 electric vehicles for ride-hailing operations in Abuja, and the establishment of the Abuja Electric Vehicle Technical Excellence Centre.
The proposed charging facilities will integrate solar energy, grid electricity and battery storage systems to provide uninterrupted 24-hour charging services. The network is expected to span Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna and Gombe, with plans to expand to 30 charging stations nationwide in the near future.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CAWIN Mobility, Wayne Ji, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards cleaner transportation, saying electrifying public transport could save the country about $3.5 billion annually in fuel costs, cut carbon emissions by nine million tonnes annually, and increase drivers’ incomes by up to $2,000 every year.
“Electrifying public transport in Nigeria can save $3.5 billion annually in fuel costs, reduce carbon emissions by nine million tonnes per year, and increase drivers’ incomes by up to $2,000 annually. Our goal is to make this transition accessible, profitable and sustainable,” Ji said.
He described the deployment of the vehicles and the establishment of the Abuja EV Technical Excellence Centre as the beginning of a new era for Nigeria’s electric mobility industry, noting that the project would create jobs, reduce transportation costs and demonstrate the commercial viability of electric vehicles.
Ji also announced a hire-purchase (rent-to-own) financing model designed to enable ride-hailing drivers to acquire electric vehicles through flexible payment arrangements.
“This means it is truly practical for drivers in Abuja to own an electric vehicle for ride-hailing operations while increasing their income,” he said.
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The company also unveiled a digital fleet management platform integrating driver recruitment, vehicle health monitoring, charging management, risk control and asset protection to improve fleet efficiency.
Highlighting the company’s long-term commitment to Nigeria, Ji recalled that CAWIN Mobility launched a nationwide programme in September 2025 to provide free electric vehicle maintenance training for 2,000 Nigerian youths.
“We do not want Nigeria to be just a market for electric vehicles. We want Nigeria to become the leader of electric mobility in Africa. We are not simply introducing electric vehicles into Nigeria; we are helping to build Nigeria’s electric mobility industry,” he said.
Speaking on the technical capacity development component of the project, CAWIN Power Mobility representative and strategic partner, Umar Uba Abubakar, said the Abuja Electric Vehicle Technical Excellence Centre would provide professional training, certification programmes, battery technology courses, charging infrastructure training, high-voltage safety education, battery management systems, research, innovation and technology transfer.
According to him, the centre is designed to produce the skilled engineers and technicians required to support Nigeria’s emerging electric vehicle industry.
“We believe that developing engineering talent is just as important as developing electric vehicles because a successful EV industry depends on skilled people,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Blue Camel Energy, Yusuf Suleiman, said the agreements signed by the partners would establish a complete electric mobility ecosystem by combining charging infrastructure, electric vehicles, technical education, financing and after-sales support.
“We are announcing the commencement of the development of our first pilot EV charging station, which represents the first step towards building a nationwide charging network,” Suleiman said.
He added that the programme would encourage local manufacturing, attract private investment, create jobs, promote technology transfer and position Nigeria as one of Africa’s leading electric mobility hubs.
“We are doing far more than signing Memoranda of Understanding. We are laying the foundation for an industry that will create jobs, transfer technology, promote clean energy and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic transformation,” he added.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding renewable energy and accelerating Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
Represented by the agency’s Director of Projects, M.D. Bala, Aliyu said investment in renewable energy infrastructure, including solar and hydropower, would improve energy security, reduce carbon emissions and expand access to affordable electricity.
He called on development partners, private investors and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with the government in advancing Nigeria’s renewable energy agenda and driving sustainable economic growth.
