South Africa wants secured continent to enhance development

• Pledges up to 10-year visas for academics, business category
• Access Bank pledges R1.4 billion further investment in SA

South Africa has called for better investment in security stability across Africa to aid trade relations, as there cannot be progress without peace.

The nation also reiterated its commitment to give Nigerians visas that would last up to 10 years especially for academic and business purposes as it reopens Lagos office.

This was revealed at the South Africa-Nigeria Trade and Investment Roundtable held in Lagos, yesterday. The event is part of activities to commemorate South Africa’s 29 years of freedom and 29 years of bilateral relations with Nigeria.

Speaking on the visa, South African Consul General, Bobby Moroe, said: “This is a commitment that our government makes to Nigerian business people to ensure that with ease, we facilitate the movement of people from Nigeria to South Africa and the other way round.”

He stated that South Africa is celebrating its 29 years of democracy and uninterrupted diplomatic relations, adding that the partnership that has been formed continues to remain critical for growth of both countries.

Stating that the celebrations seek to revitalise existing relations, he said: “For too long, we the custodians of the relationship have taken a back seat and the gap created has been utilised by nay sayers who now tell the stories.

“It is about time that we closed that gap. We need to tell our stories the best way we can. We will just expose the nature of the relationship, its genesis, where we are and our shared common vision.”

He added that the gathering also aimed to navigate challenges and prospects in the business landscape between the two countries, while reflecting honestly on resistance faced in the process of doing business.

He noted that there are about 120 South African companies in Nigeria and fewer than 10 registered Nigerian businesses in South Africa, adding that they have also recorded slow withdrawal of retail companies from Nigeria, hence the need to know the reason and how it can be resolved.

He, however, added that companies like Access bank have in recent times, made some investments in the country, especially as the bank pledged R1.4 billion further investment to South Africa.

Chief Director, West Africa Department of International Relations and Cooperation, South Africa, Nyameko Goso, stressed that the current relations between the countries are rooted in the total support South Africa received from Nigeria to get its freedom.

Stating that infrastructure is one of the enablers of intra African trade, he called on financial institutions to invest in infrastructural projects across the continent.

“It is said that one of the enablers of intra-African trade is through infrastructure. Without infrastructure, we can’t have meaningful trade among countries in the continent. Our film and music industry players are already doing a lot in the continental social infrastructure development space but more work is required,” he added

Goso mentioned the need to establish sector industrial working groups and forums, as a long-term solution to the challenges faced by South African and Nigerian businesses.

Speaking on the need for peace and security, he said, ‘With the so called resurgence of military coups, unconstitutional democracy and changes of government in our continent like what is ongoing in Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea Conakry, we believe that you can never have progress and change things for the better without peace and that is why South Africa is working with Nigeria to resolve some of these challenges at the African Union (AU) level.

“In this regard, we must ensure that the strengthening of government and governance, accountability and institutional transparency, are the foundation for peaceful Africa.”

Chairman, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of commerce, Osayaba Giwa-Osagie, said the relations are critical to consolidate peace, democracy, Pan Africanism and regional integration.

“It is crucial for these regional powers to cooperate on many levels. Aside from people and business relations, there is an opportunity for celebrities in movies and music industries to enhance Nigeria-South Africa relations. The two countries can take advantage of this opportunity by deploying diplomacy to promote their respective national interests and enhance their relations. There is no doubt that the Business Roundtable is very important to successful business relationship between Nigeria and South Africa,” he declared.