Hyundai Unveils First Assembled Electric Vehicle In Nigeria

Hyundai has unveiled the first Electric Vehicle "the Hyundai Kona" assembled in Nigeria and launched by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) 

The electric car, which was assembled by the Stallion Group Automobile, has been tagged as an innovation that will enable Nigeria and Nigerians to benefit from the gains in renewable and sustainable energy. This innovation will help to foster an eco-friendly environment.

At the launch over the weekend, Mallam Kasifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Nigeria’s Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says that the introduction of electric vehicles to the country is a sign of “advancing towards a vibrant economy”.

He went on to say that a “digital ecosystem is a sure way in creating value, wealth and prosperity, especially now that Nigeria is on its course to become one of the leading digital economies in the world.”

Head of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Babatunde Raji Fashola says that “innovation is a rebirth of the reassembling of cars in Nigeria” and  “it should advance in the participation of building parts and not only in the assemblage of the automobile” - Vanguardng

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“This is an opportunity to work together to challenge our start-ups” he adds. “Our mandate is to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of Information Technology practices in Nigeria.”

He stated that NITDA is working with start-ups, and young Nigerian entrepreneurs to develop groundbreaking ideas on automobiles, using the Internet of Things (IoT), renewable energy and others.

“This is an opportunity to work together to challenge our start-ups” he added, as he declared his passionate excitement about the launching of the electric automobile.

He explained further that the NITDA is driven towards innovation and technology advancement, affirming that the Agency is committed to implementing the National Digital Economic Policy and Strategy for a digital Nigeria.

“Our mandate is to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and regulation of Information Technology practices in Nigeria”, he said.

He applauded the Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, and their partners, Stallion Group, for their innovation and contribution to the technological advancement of Nigeria.

He, however, assured the NADDC and the Stallion Group that Nigerians have been very eager to use the Hyundai’s KONA, the first all-electric vehicle, since its first launch in Lagos on the 13th of November 2020.

Mallam Abdullahi, in the company of other dignitaries, took a ride in the newly unveiled vehicle to the applause and admiration of everyone present.