President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the changes to the visa requirements and revealed that South Africa now grants visa-free entry to Nigeria, placing it among the eligible countries. This change is part of more than one kind of cooperation in the relations between South Africa and Nigeria.
On December 3rd, 2024, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, disseminated the statement. The new visa regulations were courtesy of President Jacob Zuma during the inauguration of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also graced the occasion.
Visa-Free Travel for the Nigerian Citizens
One of the new changes is that Nigerian tourists will no longer need to attach their passports while applying for a visa to South Africa. This was proposed to ease the movement of people from Nigeria to South Africa.
Also, any Nigerian business person who meets the South Africa visa requirements will now be able to apply for a five-year multiple-entry visa. Many view this measure as likely to ease the flow of business travel between Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa, thereby boosting bilateral relations and trade.
“President Ramaphosa stated that this measure forms part of a broader set of actions designed to improve the business and tourist climate in the country.” He confirmed that qualifying Nigerian business people will now receive a five-year multiple-entry visa.
Enhancing the Nigeria – South Africa Relations
This change in visa policy comes at a time when Nigeria and South Africa are marking 30 years of diplomatic relations. Both leaders underlined a need to enhance the scope of economic relations between the two countries. President Ramaphosa also added that South Africa remains a country that is willing to enhance the Nigerian investors’ business environment.
“There are many South African companies operating in Nigeria and Nigeria is also welcome to invest in South Africa,” said Ramaphosa. This shows how we have invested in South Africa and how close our economic relationships are, while also acknowledging that we could accomplish much more in the same vein. ‘Nevertheless, we still have a lot to do to eliminate the obstacles to higher investment and address the issues that firms encounter,’ he said.”
Ramaphosa boasted that South Africa wants to make the business environment easier for business people. “This is why we pursue a further liberalization of the business environment of the Republic of South Africa. I want more Nigerian companies to be involved and seek their opportunities here“, he said.
Nigeria- South Africa Relations in Review
Both countries made the statement on the visa during a period when they were focused on enhancing their relations. Besides the BNC session, some of the recent international trips of President Tinubu have also brought about focus partnerships.
Before going to South Africa, President Tinubu had a diplomatic and trade mission trip in France. During his talks in France, he concentrated more on the crucial sectors including agriculture, security, education, health, and the youth. He also met with French President Macron to discuss possibilities of innovation and energy shift.
The courtesy visit by President Tinubu to South Africa is typical of his agenda to improve the relations between Nigeria and other countries in the globe. Both the Nigerian and the South African leaders are anxious to cement better relations, foster investments, and further cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- South Africa has eased the visa restrictions for Nigerians intending to tour or do business in the country.
- Unlike before, Nigerian tourists do not need to provide their passports when applying for a visa to South Africa.
- Nigerian business people now can also apply for five-year multiple-entry visas to encourage long-term business travel.
- The two countries are celebrating the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations for the third decade and actively developing trade and economic relations.
- Mr. Rouhani and Mr. Cameron also pledged to better the climate for doing business and streamline the organization of investors.
With these changes, people-to-people contacts, business, and other forms of contact between Nigeria and South Africa are likely to improve as opportunities in this area open up.
