BRI: NASENI, Chinese Firms Sign MoUs For $2bn For New Projects

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and new Chinese partners signed three memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for new projects valued at $2 billion.

The MoUs were signed at a ceremony attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, on the sidelines of the third Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in Beijing, China.

The three Chinese companies that signed MoUs to partner with NASENI and invest in Nigeria include Shanghai Launch Automotive Technical Co Ltd – an MOU to establish a new energy automobile facility for the production of new energy electric vehicles.

Others are: China Great Wall Industry Corporation- an MOU for the turnkey delivery of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) assembly line projects; and Newway Power Technology Company Ltd – an MOU for the transfer of technology on lithium batteries, electric vehicles and allied technologies.

In addition to the MOUs, 10 Chinese firms also presented Letters of Intent to the vice president, indicating strong interest in partnering with NASENI to invest in and develop various technology and industrial innovation projects, collectively valued at $4 billion, covering energy (solar, natural gas, microgrids), vehicle production, training and technology transfer, drone technology, and the development of a new industrial park.

Speaking at the ceremony, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Halilu, who signed the agreements on behalf of NASENI, said: “This is a very important day for us at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, because it is a day to show the results of some of the work that we have been doing in the last six weeks since I assumed the leadership of NASENI.”

He added: “Collectively, these three MoUs will, upon implementation, deliver $2 billion worth of new investments in Nigeria; that will translate into jobs, skills development and technology transfer, potential exports and foreign exchange earnings, and a boost to local economies.”

The NASENI EVC/CEO described the MoUs and the Letters of Intent as “early fruits of the diligent work of the new NASENI, an institution that we are reforming and building around the core principles of Collaboration, Creation and Commercialisation.