Benue State has taken a bold leap into the future of transportation with the launch of Nigeria’s first commercial solar-powered taxi fleet—an ambitious push toward clean energy, affordable mobility, and widespread job creation.
Unveiled in the state capital, Makurdi, the fleet is the result of a groundbreaking partnership between the Benue State Government and green tech company Esse Mobility. With plans already in motion to expand operations to Otukpo and Vandeikya, the project marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s transport landscape.
At the launch event, Esse Mobility founder, Mr Okey Esse, described the initiative as a “milestone in Nigeria’s clean energy journey.” Each vehicle in the fleet is fully solar-powered, drawing charge directly from sunlight—a setup tailor-made for urban commuting.
“These vehicles come fitted with cutting-edge security systems that track every trip in real-time,” Esse noted.
Looking ahead, Esse revealed an ambitious roadmap: 500 solar taxis by December 2025 and the establishment of assembly plants right in Benue.
“These facilities will generate over 8,500 direct and indirect jobs, spanning everything from vehicle maintenance to operations and charging infrastructure,” he said.
“With this project, we’re cutting out fuel costs, weather disruptions, and pollution. It’s clean, it’s safe, and it puts thousands of our people to work.”
