Abstract: Ultrafine transition metal oxides have great potential for efficient lithium storage but some key problems, such as a strong tendency to aggregate and poor electrical conductivity, need to be solved for their possible application. Here, hybrid nanoparticles of CoMoO₄ and N-doped carbon were formed in a petroleum asphalt-based porous carbon prepared by a template method. A Co-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) was then synthesized in-situ in its pores from Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and 2-methylimidazole. The porous carbon was impregnated with Na₂MoO₄·2H₂O and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, followed by solvothermal treatment at 180℃ for 24 h and finally calcination to convert the loaded components into hybrid nanoparticles of CoMoO₄ and N-doped carbon. Results indicate that the N-doped carbon boosts the electron transport ability of CoMoO₄ and efficiently prevents its aggregation. At an optimal CoMoO₄ loading the composite was used as an anode material in a lithium ion battery and delivered a reversible specific capacity of 818 mAh g^-1 at 1 A g^-1, an initial coulombic efficiency of around 70%, and outstanding cycle and structural stability during cycling. The strategy reported here may open up a new avenue for the rational design and construction of well-designed electrode materials for energy storage.