The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, is now poised to produce lithium batteries among other renewable energy solutions.
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Dr Bashir Gwandu, while receiving a business delegation from LEMI Technology Shenzhen, China at NASENI office, Abuja said the agency has reached a milestone in the production of solar panel.
The NASENI boss said the agency was ready to partner with international companies that are willing to set up their industries in Nigeria and start local production of renewable energy solutions, electric vehicles parts and other capital goods that could create jobs and reduce Nigeria dependence on foreign goods that exert pressure on our foreign exchange for the country.
He said very soon NASENI will begin solar cell manufacturing to improve synergy with its existing work on solar panel assembly. In fact, the agency has held meetings with other companies from around the world with a view to seeking partnership on local production of lithium-based end-products in Nigeria as against the normal practice of foreign companies exporting the raw materials outside the country for processing.
Gwandu specifically spoke on the “visions of NASENI, which is domestication of technologies, capital goods production and commercialization in Nigeria. “These would help bridge the technological gap between Nigeria and other countries, help stop importation of these technologies and encourage local production,” he explained.
He also disclosed that NASENI will be working with the National Automotive Design and Development Council to encourage development and production of electric vehicles and even conversion of existing vehicles to electric-vehicles as against producing from scratch.
“In that regard, NASENI is also in discussion with various stakeholders on promotion of the installation of electric vehicle charging stations on major roads across the country.
“So, we are inviting friends of Nigeria to come here and establish here. We are encouraging those who can come and produce locally. We will give them support and ensure that the investment environment is encouraging,” he said.
Dr. Gwandu suggested that NASENI and LEMI Technology should work out the areas of possible collaboration in the production of the lithium battery and ensure that all the safety and environment regulations are followed.
While emphasizing NASENI’s interest in the production of lithium battery and inverters, Dr Gwandu expressed delight in working out a memorandum of Understanding with LEMI Technology with a view to ensuring best practice methods in producing lithium-based batteries, taking into cognizance Nigeria’s environmental peculiarities.
The founder of LEMI Technology, Ms. Joyce Chen said the company is ready to partner with NASENI and invest in the country, promising that they look forward to a rewarding relationship with NASENI and the Nigerian government. Other members of the delegation include the Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Rocky Hu; Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Biju Yao; Oversea Business Director, Ms. Monica Liang and Engineer Mr. Lucia Peng.
The Chief Executive Officer of LEMI Technology Mr. Xie Feng expressed his company’s willingness sign an MOU with NASENI on renewable energy with particular reference to products like solar and television panels, inverters and battery production.
Feng disclosed that LEMI Technology has been operating in the Nigerian market since 2018 and had provided job opportunities to Nigerians and have sold renewable energy products to over 200,000 Nigerian households.
NASENI is the Nigeria’s purpose-built agency with specific mandate in the area of capital goods research, production, and reverse engineering spanning Engineering Materials, Industrial and Analytical Chemical Materials, Scientific Equipment and components, Engineering Equipment, Engineering Designs and Standardization, and Power Equipment.
