REA, NASENI Sign Deal with Chinese Firm for $150m Lithium Battery Plant

Launches Edo command, control centre, special force building, others

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a $150 million lithium-ion battery manufacturing and processing factory in Nigeria.

A statement by the REA said the agreement, signed with a Chinese firm, Shenzhen Lemi Technology Development Company Ltd., at the ongoing COP-28, will be leveraged to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to clean and renewable energy development.

In addition, the agency explained that the deal emphasises the country’s alignment with climate action pledges under the Paris Agreement and focuses on home-grown technology for rural electrification in the search for inclusive financing for Nigeria’s energy access gap in last-mile communities.

The strategic collaboration with the key objective of facilitating partnership for research and development projects, it said, will enhance the quality, reliability, and affordability of rural electrification solutions, including innovative technologies.

“Leveraging on their partnership, NASENI and REA signed a landmark cooperation agreement with Shenzhen Lemi Technology Development Company Limited of China. “The landmark MoU was developed with the sole objective of development and establishment of a $150 million Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing and Processing Factory in Nigeria.

“This partnership enables agencies such as REA and NASENI to leverage the technological expertise of LEMI to improve the safety and longevity of battery technologies to deliver better, sustainable energy solutions to unserved and underserved Nigerians.

“It will also be paving the way for new jobs within the sector, as well as local content in the nation’s renewable energy space,” the REA stated.

According to the statement, the collaboration between REA and NASENI has proven instrumental in unlocking new and transformative opportunities.

While the REA, an agency of the federal government under the

ministry of power, is focused on delivering electricity to rural, unserved, and

underserved communities in Nigeria, NASENI is tasked with the development of

science and engineering innovation through strategic investments and

partnerships.

“REA and NASENI are actively engaged in the clean and renewable

energy sector in Nigeria. The two agencies recently prioritised collaboration

between them to underscore a shared commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

“Both agencies seized the opportunity presented by their

participation in COP-28 to advance the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.