By Abdulfatah Babatunde
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has invited foreign investors to collaborate on local production and domestication of Lithium batteries and other renewable energy solutions in Nigeria.
Bashir Gwandu, CEO of NASENI announced this while receiving business delegation from LEMI Technology Shenzhen, China, on Monday in Abuja.
Ms Joyce Chen, founder of LEMI Technology led the delegation.
Gwandu said NASENI was ready to partner with international companies that are willing to set up their industries in Nigeria.
He said the agency welcomes investors to produce renewable energy solutions, electric vehicle parts and other capital goods in Nigeria.
According to him, attracting such foreign investment would create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign goods that “exert pressure on our foreign exchange”.
Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Director of Information and Protocol of NASENI, elaborated on the visit in a statement mailed to TheNewsZenith.
“NASENI is already doing a lot in the area of Solar Panel Production,” Ayeoyenikan quoted Gwandu as telling the delegation.
He added that the agency would soon attract solar cell manufacturing companies to improve synergy with its existing work on solar panel assembly.
“The Agency has held meetings with other companies from around the world to seek partnerships on local production of lithium-based end-products in Nigeria.
“This is as against the previous practice of foreign companies exporting the raw materials out of Nigeria for processing.”
The visions of NASENI, he said, are to domesticate technologies, capital goods production and commercialisation in Nigeria.
“NASENI will help bridge the technological gaps between Nigeria and other countries.
“It is also determined to stop the importation of these technologies and encourage local production,” Gwandu said.
According to him, the agency would work with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to encourage the development and production of electric vehicles.
Read Related News:
Buhari inaugurates NASENI Technology Complex
FG sets aside N3.25bn for 3 industrial parks
“It will also encourage even the conversion of existing vehicles to electric vehicles.
`NASENI is also discussing with stakeholders to promote installation of electric vehicle charging stations on major roads across the country.
“So, we are inviting friends of Nigeria to come and establish here and produce locally.
“We will give them support and ensure that the investment environment is encouraging,” he said.
Gwandu suggested that NASENI and LEMI should work out areas of possible collaboration in the production of the lithium battery.
“We should also ensure that all the safety and environment regulations are followed.”
Chen remarked that LEMI Technology is ready to partner with NASENI and invest in Nigeria.
“LEMI looks forward to a rewarding relationship with NASENI and the Nigerian government,” she promised.
Giving details of the visit, Mr Xie Feng, the Chief Executive Officer of LEMI Technology expressed his company’s willingness to partner with NASENI on renewable energy.
Feng said the company would focus on production of solar and television panels, inverters and batteries.
He said Nigeria and China have a brotherhood that spans many years, adding that Nigeria is critical for investment opportunities.
Feng added that LEMI Technology has been operating in the Nigerian market since 2018 and had provided job opportunities to Nigerians.
LEMI, Technology, he said, has sold renewable energy products to over 200,000 Nigerian households.
Other members of the delegation are the Chief Investment Officer, Mr Rocky Hu; Chief Financial Officer, Ms Biju Yao; Oversea Business Director, Ms Monica Liang and Engineer Mr Lucia Peng.
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share story(ies) of happenings in your area with The NewsZenith on WhatsApp: 08033668669 or thenewszenith@gmail.com
