The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Kelvin Oye, has met with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Thamsanqa Dennis Mseleku, to strengthen ties to harness the collective economic potential of the two countries to drive growth and prosperity in the continent.

The leaders at the meeting at the South African Embassy in Abuja explored avenues to collaborate and share resources, leveraging diverse cultural and socioeconomic strengths of the two leading economies in Africa, a statement by NACCIMA said.

“A sustained partnership between Nigeria and South Africa holds immense promise for both nations and the continent as a whole which is the reason for this visit. We believe that by combining our resources, expertise and innovation, we can unlock new opportunities for economic growth and development,” Oye was quoted

According to the NACCIMA boss, the discussions during the symbolic meeting centred on the establishment of strategic public-private partnerships (PPP) that would promote innovation, technology transfer and investment. He added that “such partnerships are instrumental in catalysing economic diversification, creating jobs and driving industrialisation”.

Noting that the two countries have the potential to become economic powerhouses, Oye stated: “South Africa and Nigeria share a common history – both have struggled against apartheid and colonialism. They have a shared history of liberation movements that fought for the freedom and dignity of their people. Today, despite their diverse cultural and socioeconomic differences, they stand as beacons of hope for the black race and Africa. It is, therefore, imperative that they collaborate, share resources and work towards the development of Africa.

“The visit is an indication of the strong desire to foster a profitable relationship between Nigeria and South Africa. This relationship can be leveraged towards catalysing innovations and creativity among the youth and women. It can also be used to move our people out of poverty by leveraging public-private partnerships.”

“The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa has the potential to be a litmus test for African unity and solidarity. The importance of this visit cannot be overemphasized, as it signifies a step towards building the resilience, prosperity, and connectivity of black African nations.”