South Africa and Nigeria forge stronger economic ties through private sector engagement

MTN Group, in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has hosted the South Africa-Nigeria Private Sector Engagement Session at MTN Headquarters. The high-level dialogue brought together South African businesses already operating in Nigeria and those exploring new opportunities, with the goal of unlocking fresh trade and investment pathways. 

The session highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in the Nigeria-South Africa economic relationship. South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Mpho Parks Tau, acknowledged hurdles such as market access barriers and non-tariff challenges but stressed the growing trade volumes between the two nations. He reiterated South Africa’s commitment to resolving bottlenecks through the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade, and Investment (JMACITI), a bilateral platform aimed at fostering smoother trade relations. 

The MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, Nompilo Morafo  in her address underscored the company’s role as a bridge between the two economies. “MTN’s journey demonstrates the power of partnership for progress,” she said. “As Nigeria’s largest South African investor, we see our presence not just as a commercial venture but as a catalyst for inclusive development and shared prosperity.” 

The engagement session served as a precursor to the upcoming South Africa-Nigeria Trade and Investment Summit, where stakeholders aim to translate discussions into concrete actions. With both countries accounting for nearly a third of Africa’s GDP, enhanced collaboration promises to drive continental growth, innovation, and job creation. 

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye