Yoyei Signs $115m China Deal to Bring 5,000 Electric Vehicles to Nigeria

Yoyei Signs $115m China Deal to Bring 5,000 Electric Vehicles to Nigeria

Nigerian electric mobility company Yoyei Technologies has signed a $115 million agreement with China’s ZMEV Limited to procure 5,000 electric vehicles over five years, with plans to begin local assembly after the first 2,000 units are delivered.

The agreement, signed on October 22, 2026, covers vehicle supply, charging infrastructure, technical training, maintenance and after-sales support. It is designed to establish a broader electric transport operation in Nigeria rather than focus solely on bringing imported vehicles into the country.

According to Brandspur Brand News, the partnership also sets out a pathway for domestic vehicle assembly, although the proposed initiative is tied to the delivery of 2,000 vehicles and remains a future milestone under the cooperation framework.

Yoyei said the first batch of vehicles had already been purchased and was expected to arrive in Lagos in December 2026. A further shipment of 250 electric vehicles is scheduled to arrive in January 2027.

The vehicles will be sourced through ZMEV from automotive manufacturers and configured to meet specifications set by Yoyei. These include requirements for Nigerian road conditions and the demands of commercial transport services, particularly ride-hailing operations.

The proposed assembly programme could create opportunities for local technical workers and businesses if the companies meet the delivery target and proceed with the planned investment. The agreement, however, does not provide details on the location, ownership structure, production capacity or start date of the proposed assembly facility.

Yoyei’s expansion comes as transport operators and commuters contend with the cost of running petrol-powered vehicles, including fuel purchases and maintenance. Electric vehicles offer an alternative, but wider adoption also depends on the availability of charging facilities, affordable vehicle financing and reliable maintenance services.

The company is therefore combining vehicle procurement with plans for charging infrastructure, technician training and fleet support. Its wider technology platform also includes digital payments and fleet management tools intended to connect passengers, drivers, vehicle owners and transport operators.

Yoyei’s Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, Beril Bunuzigha, said the company hoped to create more than 80,000 direct jobs as its operations expand. The projected opportunities cover driving, fleet operations, charging services and technical support, although the company did not provide a timeline or detailed employment breakdown.

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ZMEV Chairman Kenny Li said the Chinese company would support the introduction of electric vehicles into Nigeria and work with Yoyei on infrastructure, training and after-sales services.

The five-year arrangement places vehicle supply and supporting services within one cooperation framework, while making local assembly conditional on progress in the initial procurement phase.

For Nigeria’s electric mobility market, the scale of the proposed fleet will be significant only if the supporting infrastructure develops alongside it. The arrival of the first vehicles will mark an early test of how quickly the partnership can translate its procurement plans into operational services on Nigerian roads.