The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards promoting green mobility and local manufacturing with the adoption of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill, 2025.

The bill, which passed its first reading on Tuesday, seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for Nigeria’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

According to Senator Kalu, the proposed legislation is designed to position Nigeria as a regional leader in clean energy transportation while boosting industrial capacity.

Details of the Bill made available to Journalists revealed that it is not just about reducing carbon emissions; it is about creating thousands of jobs, driving local innovation, and ensuring that Nigeria does not lag in the global shift towards electric mobility.

Further insights from the Bill outline ambitious targets, including the development of a nationwide electric vehicle charging infrastructure, incentives to accelerate the adoption of EVs by individuals, businesses, and government agencies, and the integration of renewable energy into transportation systems.

Key objectives include promoting local EV manufacturing industries, establishing Nigeria as a regional hub for clean transportation, creating employment opportunities across the entire electric vehicle value chain, and ensuring environmental sustainability through reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

One aspect of the Bill that can be considered a groundbreaking provision is the strict local content requirement for foreign automakers.

The Bill stipulates that no foreign company will be permitted to import, sell, or distribute electric vehicles in Nigeria without partnering with a licensed Nigerian assembler.

Automakers must establish assembly plants within three years of starting operations and reach at least 30% local sourcing of components by 2030.

Any violation of these terms could attract stiff penalties, including suspension of operations and over a million naira fines.

If passed into law, the Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Act would set the stage for Nigeria’s emergence as a competitive player in the global green mobility sector, in line with worldwide efforts to combat climate change and build sustainable economies.