NIGERIA and South Africa have taken significant steps toward resolving longstanding visa restrictions and strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, defence, energy, and cultural exchange.
News Point Nigeria reports that at a high-level Nigeria–South Africa Political Consultation Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, officials from both nations agreed to simplify visa procedures for business people and fast-track the signing of new bilateral agreements aimed at deepening economic and diplomatic relations.
The Nigerian delegation was led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, while the South African side was headed by Ms. Thandi Moraka of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The meeting, held in line with the 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations signed during the 10th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Abuja, reaffirmed the determination of both countries to build on decades of mutual partnership and solidarity.
A key highlight of the session was the joint decision to liberalise visa restrictions that have for years affected the movement of citizens between both nations.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to adopt simplified visa processes for businesspeople to “remedy persisting visa-related challenges” and enhance regional mobility.
The Ministers also welcomed the finalisation of an MoU on the Early Warning Mechanism (EWM) — described as a “transformative tool” that will help address consular and migration issues.
They emphasised that the effective implementation of the EWM would strengthen coordination, streamline the movement of people and goods, and contribute to social, cultural, technical, scientific, and tourism development.
“The liberalisation of visa restrictions and the operationalisation of the Early Warning Mechanism will foster greater connectivity between our peoples,” Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
“This is a new chapter in Nigeria–South Africa relations, one that prioritises cooperation and mutual prosperity.”
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to cultural diplomacy, noting that the Nigeria–South Africa Audio-Visual Cooperation Agreement signed in 2021 has continued to promote collaboration between their booming film industries.
The agreement supports co-production, skills transfer, joint investments, and technical training across Nollywood and the South African film sector.
It also encourages on-location film shooting in both countries and joint participation in global film festivals, further consolidating the cultural bridge between West and Southern Africa.
“Our creative industries are powerful instruments of unity and soft diplomacy,” Ms. Moraka noted.
“The cooperation between Nollywood and South Africa’s film sector has demonstrated Africa’s potential to tell its own stories to the world.”
Nigeria and South Africa, Africa’s two largest economies restated their shared vision of continental development, pledging to continue working together under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other multilateral platforms.
They also agreed to deepen cooperation in defence and security, particularly in intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping efforts within the African Union (AU).
“Nigeria and South Africa remain partners in progress,” the communiqué concluded.
“Our collaboration is not only vital for our nations but for the stability and prosperity of the African continent.”