Dangote Sinotruk Unveils Nigeria’s First Locally Assembled Electric Heavy-Duty Truck

The joint venture moves into green mobility as it aims to make Nigeria West Africa’s automotive manufacturing hub

Nigeria entered a new era in automotive manufacturing as Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited rolled out the country’s first locally assembled electric heavy-duty truck. According to Sinotruk, it is also the first new-energy truck ever assembled on the African continent.

The truck was unveiled at the company’s assembly plant in Ikeja, Lagos. Senior executives from the Dangote Group and Sinotruk Group attended, along with officials of the Lagos State Government, customers, business partners and industry stakeholders.

The rollout takes the joint venture beyond conventional vehicles and into new-energy mobility. Electric heavy-duty trucks now join its existing range of heavy-duty trucks, tippers, light trucks, pickups and buses.

“More than a launch”

Devakumar V.G. Edwin, Group Vice-President of Dangote Industries Limited, said the milestone showed the Group’s commitment to new technologies that create value for customers and support Nigeria’s environmental goals.

“Today, we are taking an important further step as the global economy is looking for sustainable business, that is, vehicles which will also be protective of the environment. So, we went into CNG technology and now we are going into the electric technology. This is a technology which is revolutionising the whole world,” he said.

Edwin said electric commercial vehicles could lower operating costs and cut tailpipe emissions. He added that the benefits would depend on the application, electricity costs and the charging infrastructure available.

“This is more than a launch of new vehicles. It’s a statement of our commitment to innovation, our commitment to green energy, and the future of mobility,” he declared.

Building the ecosystem

Edwin acknowledged that electric trucks will only succeed in Nigeria if the support systems around them are in place.

“We recognise that this successful adoption will also require reliable charging facilities, technical expertise and spare parts and a strong after-sales support. So, we are already getting ready with a strong after-sales support. We are setting up our team,” he said.

He said the company would help customers with charging infrastructure and technical expertise. It will also work with government, partners and customers to develop Nigeria’s emerging electric vehicle ecosystem.

The launch comes as the Federal Government pushes cleaner transport options, including compressed natural gas (CNG) and other alternative-energy technologies.

A continental first

Liu Wei, President of Sinotruk Group, called the rollout a historic moment for Nigeria, the joint venture and Africa’s automotive industry.

“Today, we gather in the beautiful city of Lagos to witness the official roll-off of the first electric heavy-duty truck from the joint venture. More importantly, it represents a substantial step forward for Nigeria and West Africa in driving localised manufacturing and the green transition of new-energy commercial vehicles,” Liu said.

He said the milestone fits Nigeria’s long-term carbon-neutrality and energy-transition plans, especially efforts to modernise the energy mix, decarbonise transport and strengthen industrial capacity.

Sixteen years in the making

The partnership has grown steadily since it began in 2010:

• 2010: Dangote and Sinotruk begin their partnership

• 2014: The joint venture is formally established

• 2017: The first heavy truck rolls off the assembly line

• 2024: A commercial vehicle welding and e-coating paint line begins operating

• Today: More than 8,000 vehicles assembled locally, now including electric heavy-duty trucks

Edwin said Sinotruk was chosen as the technology partner after an extensive review of Chinese truck manufacturers.

Skills and jobs for Nigerians

Technology transfer is central to the venture. Sinotruk will train Nigerian engineers and technicians, and selected staff will get hands-on training at its facilities in China. Liu said the programme would open technical and manufacturing jobs to more young Nigerians.

Government applause

The Lagos State Government was represented by an official speaking for the Commissioner for Transportation. He called the rollout a defining moment for Nigeria’s industrial and transport sectors.

He said it showed Nigeria could take an active part in the global shift to cleaner transport instead of depending on imported automotive technology. He listed several expected benefits:

• Lower emissions

• Reduced long-term operating costs for logistics operators

• New jobs

• Advanced electric vehicle skills for Nigerian engineers and technicians

He urged continued investment in local manufacturing.

Eyes on West Africa

Dangote Sinotruk aims to become one of West Africa’s leading automotive assembly and manufacturing companies. It plans to use Nigeria’s large market, industrial base and entrepreneurial capacity to serve the logistics, construction, infrastructure and transport needs of the wider region.

For the Dangote Group, the electric truck strengthens its wider industrialisation strategy: build local capacity, transfer technology, create jobs and develop businesses that can compete beyond Nigeria.

As the first locally assembled electric heavy-duty truck heads onto Nigerian roads, Dangote Sinotruk is opening a new chapter in the country’s automotive history, pairing global technology with local manufacturing.