Nigeria has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Israeli and Japanese companies to assemble and manufacture environmentally friendly, green, electric and smart automobiles by 2023.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) partnered the Israeli, Japanese and Nigerian companies on Thursday in Abuja.

Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said the partnership, a combination of Israeli, Japanese and Nigerian technologies would help address transport and environmental challenges in Nigeria.

“It is a project that is a partnership with Israeli, Japanese and Nigerian companies taking place in Nigeria. What is special about this project is that it is a timely project that combines Israeli technologies, Japanese technologies, Nigerian entrepreneurship and innovation together to create a project that is going to work fabulously,” Mr Freeman explained.

He added, “We are talking about bringing electronic Motorcycles into Nigeria, which will be a programme that is green, environmentally friendly. It offers people a cheap way and safe way of transport and even has the technology to ensure that the motorcycles are only used for legal and appropriate purposes.”

Mohammed Haruna, the NASENI executive vice-chairman, lauded the collaboration, which he said had come to stay and would be domesticated in Nigeria.

Mr Haruna added that the country would witness the manufacturing of Nigerian-made electric vehicles with the project.

Ayal Raz, a representative of the Israeli company Peramare Enterprise, said against some perceptions, Nigeria was safe to invest in.

“With this innovative idea, we believe it is going to change so many things in the face of Nigeria,” Mr Raz stated.

Sasi Shilo, SIXAI CEO and Japanese partner, said his company, beyond production, would be keen on supporting Nigeria to build a sustainable nation with clean and safe technologies.

(NAN)