CIG, EV makers team up to extend footprint in Africa

Trading firm Choice International (CIG) is ramping up efforts to take more Chinese new energy vehicles to overseas markets, with the latest achievement being a series of strategic cooperation agreements signed with Nigeria covering electric vehicle shipments.

According to the agreements, project E-Mobility has been jointly launched by CIG and the Lagos state government, Nigeria, in early July, based on which the company will introduce a total of 5,000 EVs to Lagos and help establish the local EV infrastructure.

The project aims to promote green transportation and sustainable development by promoting intelligent dispatch systems with Chinese EVs and ride-hailing solutions, to optimize traffic resource allocation, improve local transportation conditions and boost green transition in the African country, said Chen Xiuxia, chairwoman of CIG, a Guangzhou, Guangdong province-based company.

Chinese new energy and charging service providers — such as Qingdao Teld New Energy and Shenzhen Topsunlight New Energy — have also become strategic partners in the E-Mobility project.

"There is huge potential for Chinese EVs and other companies along the chain in African countries," said Chen.

In 2022, the Lagos state government and CIG launched the largest ride-hailing mobility platform in Africa — Lagride.

The E-Mobility project is a result of the enhanced cooperation between the two sides based on Lagride, Chen said.

"The E-Mobility project is not only a business initiative, but also an important public welfare undertaking that will promote social development in Nigeria," said Chen at a signing ceremony on Saturday in Guangzhou.

The project will also help create more job opportunities in Nigeria.

"The initiative provides Nigerians with a comprehensive travel solution, greatly promoting Lagos state's economic development and overall industrialization process," said George Collins Onwuekwe, consul general of Nigeria in Guangzhou.

Chinese EVs and mobility services have been gaining in popularity in Africa in recent years, said Wang Xingliang, general manager of the African business department of GAC International, a unit of Chinese EV maker GAC Group.

The GAC unit is among the Chinese EV companies taking part in the strategic partnership agreements.

"We are accelerating EV exports to African countries as demand for advanced EVs from China is growing rapidly," said Wang, adding the company's vehicles are sold in eight countries on the continent.

"We will introduce comprehensive new energy and charging solutions to Lagos to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly travel services," said Li Jianbo, vice-president of Teld.