‘Electrifying Public Transport Can Save Nigeria $3.5bn Annually’

The managing director and chief executive officer of CAWIN Mobility, Wayne Ji, has said that electrifying public transport in Nigeria can save the country $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.

Wayne Ji disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CAWIN Mobility, Blue Camel Energy, and Joint Sustainable Energy.

The partners also unveiled plans to develop 10 solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country. “Our goal is to make this transition accessible, profitable and sustainable,” Wayne Ji said.

The partners also launched over 500 electric vehicles for commercial operations in Abuja. The announcement was made during the Abuja EV Ecosystem Strategic Partnership and Asset Handover Ceremony in Abuja on Monday.

As part of the initiative, CAWIN Mobility, Blue Camel Energy and Joint Sustainable Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop the solar-powered charging stations. The facilities will integrate solar energy, grid electricity and battery storage systems to provide uninterrupted 24-hour charging services for electric vehicles.

The company also disclosed plans to expand the charging network to 30 stations nationwide in the near future, describing the expansion as both ambitious and achievable, given the investments already committed to building Nigeria’s EV ecosystem. In addition, CAWIN Mobility and Blue Camel Energy signed two separate agreements covering the deployment of between 400 and 500 electric vehicles for ride-hailing services in Abuja and the establishment of the Abuja EV Technical Excellence Centre.

To encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles, Ji announced a hire-purchase (rent-to-buy) financing model that will enable ride-hailing drivers to acquire EVs through flexible payment plans.

“This means it is truly practical for drivers in Abuja to own an electric vehicle for ride-hailing operations while increasing their income,” he added.

The company also unveiled a digital fleet management platform designed to improve operational efficiency for fleet operators.

According to Ji, the system integrates driver recruitment, vehicle condition monitoring, charging management, risk control and asset protection into a single management platform.

He noted that the initiative builds on CAWIN Mobility’s earlier commitment to Nigeria’s EV industry. In September 2025, the company launched a nationwide programme offering free electric vehicle maintenance training to 2,000 Nigerian youths, which remains ongoing.

The company said the training initiative, combined with local vehicle customisation and an expanding EV maintenance network, is laying the foundation for a self-sustaining electric mobility industry in Nigeria.

The firm also pledged to deepen collaboration with government agencies, industry stakeholders and financial institutions to strengthen the country’s electric vehicle ecosystem.

Also speaking, Umar Uba Abubakar of CAWIN Power Mobility unveiled plans to establish the Abuja Electric Vehicle (AEV) Technical Excellence Centre as part of efforts to develop Nigeria’s electric mobility ecosystem and build local capacity in electric vehicle technology.

He said the AEV Technical Excellence Centre would provide professional technical training, electric vehicle certification programmes, battery technology courses, charging infrastructure training, high-voltage safety education, battery management systems, research, innovation, technology transfer and quality development.

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.

On his part, Blue Camel Energy Chief Executive Officer, Yusuf Suleiman, said the three strategic Memoranda of Understanding signed by the company are aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s transition to electric mobility.

According to him, the pilot electric vehicle charging station would pave the way for 10 hybrid charging stations across Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna and Gombe, designed to provide reliable and efficient charging.

“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 noted that the three initiatives would create a complete electric mobility ecosystem by combining charging infrastructure, electric vehicles, technical education and financing to support government policy, attract private investment, create jobs and promote technology transfer.

According to him, the programme is a long-term national development initiative that will expand charging infrastructure, encourage local manufacturing 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 said.

Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s renewable energy transition, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to achieve sustainable economic growth.

He said, “The government remains committed to developing renewable energy sources, including solar and hydropower, as part of efforts to expand access to clean and affordable energy across the country.”

Represented by the Agency’s director of Projects, M.D. Bala, he noted that investment in renewable energy infrastructure would support economic development, reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security for Nigerians.

Aliyu called on development partners, private investors, and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with the government to drive the country’s clean energy agenda.