Nigeria will this month commission a 6,000-metric-ton lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State, opening new opportunities for SMEs in the clean energy value chain.
The Lafia-based facility, funded by Chinese firms Jiuling Lithium and Canmax Technologies in partnership with Three Crown Mines, will produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy. President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate the plant.
Governor Abdullahi Sule said the project reflects strong investor confidence in Nasarawa's mineral deposits, following the earlier launch of a 3,000MT plant in 2024.
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Beyond creating hundreds of direct jobs, the plant is set to support local businesses through supply contracts, training programs, and community development initiatives.
The initiative is part of Nigeria's drive to ban raw mineral exports, retain more value locally, and expand industrial linkages for SMEs.
With more plants planned, Nasarawa is positioning itself as a hub for Africa's battery industry, giving small businesses new entry points into a fast-growing global market.
