Dangote launches Africa's first locally assembled electric truck

The Dangote Group and Chinese automobile manufacturer Sinotruk International have unveiled Africa's first electric heavy-duty truck assembled on the continent, marking a new phase in Nigeria's efforts to develop cleaner commercial transportation.

The vehicle was unveiled in Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, as both companies expanded their decade-long partnership from conventional vehicle assembly to advanced manufacturing and electric mobility.
The President of Sinotruk Group, Liu Wei, described the development as a historic milestone, saying the truck was the first new-energy vehicle of its category to be assembled in Africa.

He said the initiative demonstrated the commitment of the partnership to advancing industrialisation and supporting Nigeria's transition to cleaner energy.
The collaboration, which began in 2013, formally established a joint venture in 2014 and has since expanded its local manufacturing operations.
According to Liu, the company assembled its first heavy-duty truck in 2017, while its commercial vehicle welding and eco-coating paint line commenced operations in 2024.

He disclosed that the partnership had assembled more than 8,000 vehicles locally in the past decade, including heavy-duty trucks, tippers, light trucks, pick-ups and buses.
The Vice-President of Dangote Group, Devakumar Edwin, said the introduction of electric commercial vehicles followed the company's earlier adoption of compressed natural gas technology as part of efforts to promote sustainable transportation.
Edwin said electric trucks offered opportunities to reduce operating costs and tailpipe emissions, although their commercial viability would depend on electricity prices, charging infrastructure and the nature of their operations.

He acknowledged that inadequate charging facilities, technical expertise, spare parts and after-sales services could affect the adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria.
“We are already getting ready with strong after-sales support. We have set up our team, and we are also going to support in terms of charging facilities and other technical expertise required,” he said.
He added that the company would work with partners, customers and government stakeholders to develop the infrastructure needed to support electric mobility.

Edwin said the joint venture was established to build a world-class commercial vehicle manufacturing business, create employment, strengthen local assembly and facilitate technology transfer.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria could become a major automotive manufacturing and distribution hub for West Africa, citing its market size, industrial base and entrepreneurial capacity.
The Dangote executive also linked the expansion to the group's broader industrialisation ambitions and its target of generating $100bn in revenue by 2030.

Liu said the partnership would continue upgrading its production facilities, expanding manufacturing capacity and developing local technical expertise to serve Nigeria and other West African markets.
He added that the company planned to broaden its product range to include heavy-duty trucks, light trucks, pick-ups, trailers and vehicle body-building.
The Sinotruk president also pledged more training opportunities for Nigerian engineers and technicians, including practical training programmes in China.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, represented by the Managing Director of Lagos Bus Services, Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, described the unveiling as a significant development in Nigeria's industrial history.
He said local assembly of electric trucks could help reduce transport emissions, lower long-term operating costs and equip Nigerian engineers with skills in electric vehicle technology.

Ojowuro added that the initiative could strengthen the country's capacity to develop a competitive automotive and battery manufacturing industry.
He commended the Dangote Group for its investment and urged more private-sector players to support sustainable transportation and industrial development.

The launch comes amid growing interest in electric mobility across Africa, as governments and businesses explore alternatives to conventional fossil-fuel-powered transportation.