Nigeria and South Africa, Africa’s two largest economies, are forging deeper trade and investment ties in a strategic push to unlock the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and drive economic growth across the continent.
This renewed collaboration was underscored by a high-level trade mission led by WesGro, the official trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, which brought over 12 South African companies to Nigeria. The companies, drawn from key sectors such as agribusiness, renewable energy, ICT, film, tourism, and business services, engaged with Nigerian partners to explore bilateral trade and investment opportunities.
WesGro’s Head of Africa, Michael Gamwo, emphasised that Nigeria and South Africa must lead by example if AfCFTA is to succeed.
“South Africa and Nigeria are giants on the continent. If AfCFTA is to thrive, then these two nations must lead by example,” Gamwo said.
He explained that most South African companies are now represented by local partners in Nigeria, a sign of growing trust and synergy between the two nations’ business communities. “Many of our companies don’t even have to travel anymore; they’re represented here by Nigerian partners who understand the local market,” he added.
Gamwo extended an invitation to Nigerian entrepreneurs to visit South Africa to explore renewable energy, agribusiness, and ICT opportunities, noting that WesGro is prepared to facilitate partnerships.
Gamwo commended Nigeria’s e-visa system, which allows delegates to obtain visas within 48 hours—a significant improvement that encourages cross-border business engagements.
“Intra-African trade cannot thrive if travel is a barrier. Nigeria’s e-visa system is a model for other African countries,” he stated.
The partnership is expected to deliver mutual economic benefits. For South Africa, Nigeria serves as a vital export market, while Nigeria benefits from South African investments in services, ICT, construction, and hospitality, sectors that generate jobs and build local capacity.
“Crude oil may bring in revenue, but it doesn’t create many jobs. Investments in ICT and services do,” Gamwo explained. He also highlighted the critical role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and driving innovation.
According to Margaret Chichi Nkire, Nigeria facilitator for WesGro Trade Events and founder of Makire Africa, WesGro has been facilitating trade missions between South Africa and Nigeria for over a decade in partnership with the South African Embassy, the SA-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, and South African Tourism.
She noted that the two-day event featured business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions and high-level seminars focused on sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, ICT, tourism, and the creative industries.
Nkire stressed the importance of youth and women empowerment in trade and investment collaborations. “By creating spaces for networking and knowledge exchange, we are laying the groundwork for inclusive growth, especially for youth and women entrepreneurs,” she said.
She further noted that creative industries such as Nollywood and South Africa’s film industry present untapped opportunities for employment and economic empowerment.
Both Gamwo and Nkire expressed optimism that the Nigeria-South Africa trade partnership would continue to grow under AfCFTA, unlocking new business opportunities, promoting intra-African trade, and driving shared prosperity.
With over 10 years of consistent trade missions, WesGro’s engagements have become a cornerstone of South Africa-Nigeria economic relations, signalling a future of stronger economic integration on the continent.