Launch Design Shanghai and Hybrid Motors Nigeria have signed a strategic partnership agreement to establish state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facilities in Lagos and Abuja, aiming to accelerate Nigeria's transition to sustainable mobility and local automotive production. The agreement, signed in Shanghai on May 8, 2026, marks a major milestone for Acely, Hybrid Motors Nigeria's indigenous automobile brand developed specifically for Nigerian roads, driving conditions, and consumers.
The partnership brings together Launch Design Shanghai's global automotive engineering expertise and Hybrid Motors Nigeria's deep understanding of the local market to drive the development, assembly, and large-scale production of modern electric and hybrid vehicles in Nigeria. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Launch Design, Wang Xun, and Chief Executive Officer of Hybrid Motors Nigeria, Jubril Arogundade, described the collaboration as a transformative step towards building a globally competitive automotive manufacturing ecosystem in Nigeria.
Arogundade said the partnership represents more than a commercial venture, noting that it reflects a long-term commitment to Nigeria's industrial future. "With Acely, we are demonstrating that world-class vehicles can be conceived, designed, and assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our collaboration with Launch Design brings international engineering standards to local production while preserving the identity of a truly Nigerian brand," he said.
Wang Xun stated that Launch Design was proud to support the growth of Nigeria's automotive industry through advanced engineering and manufacturing solutions. "Our turnkey engineering capabilities, combined with Hybrid Motors Nigeria's market knowledge and leadership, create a strong platform for success. Together, we are not only building vehicles, but helping to build an industry," he said.
Under the agreement, Launch Design Shanghai would provide comprehensive engineering support spanning vehicle architecture, manufacturing systems, design optimisation, production engineering, and quality assurance processes.
Dual Manufacturing Strategy
The partnership will establish manufacturing operations in both Lagos and Abuja, with a projected combined annual production capacity of 70,000 units at full maturity. The Lagos facility, located within the Lekki-Epe axis, will serve as the primary production and assembly hub with a yearly capacity of 50,000 units. Positioned close to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the plant is expected to support exports across West Africa, including Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire.
The Abuja facility, situated within the Free Zone Business Area of Centenary Economic City, will function as a secondary manufacturing and technology hub with an annual production capacity of 20,000 units. The plant is expected to serve Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel region while benefiting from the Free Zone's strategic incentives and trade connectivity. According to the companies, the dual-facility structure is designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce logistics costs, strengthen regional distribution networks, and expand employment opportunities across multiple regions of the country.
The companies said Acely represents a forward-looking mobility solution focused on local manufacturing, energy efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. According to the partnership framework, Acely vehicles will be developed with Nigerian environmental conditions, road infrastructure, and consumer realities in mind, while incorporating modern intelligent systems and advanced electric and hybrid propulsion technologies. The initiative is also expected to support Nigeria's clean energy aspirations and broader industrialisation agenda.
The companies projected that the investment would stimulate significant economic and industrial benefits, including job creation, technology transfer, local supply chain development, foreign exchange conservation, and increased regional competitiveness within Africa's automotive value chain. They added that the project aligns with the objectives of Nigeria's National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) and the country's broader drive towards industrial diversification and sustainable transportation.
Describing the agreement as a defining moment for Nigeria's automotive sector, Arogundade said the partnership would lay the foundation for a new era of mobility driven by local innovation and global competitiveness. "With facilities in Lagos and Abuja serving complementary regional markets, we are creating the foundation for a mobility ecosystem that is locally rooted, globally competitive, and sustainably driven," he said.
