December 03, (THEWILL) – South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced on Tuesday that the country has streamlined its visa processes to make travel easier for Nigerian business people and tourists, including offering five-year multiple-entry visas.
Ramaphosa made the announcement at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town, where Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was also present.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, Ramaphosa emphasised the simplification of visa procedures for Nigerian business people.
He said that qualifying Nigerian entrepreneurs would be granted five-year multiple-entry visas, aimed at encouraging greater business exchanges between the two nations.
“Our efforts to create a favorable environment include simplifying the visa process for Nigerian business people to travel to South Africa. Qualifying individuals can be granted a five-year multiple-entry visa,” Ramaphosa said.
He also pledged to continue working towards removing barriers to investment and addressing challenges faced by businesses in both countries.
Marking 30 years of diplomatic relations, Ramaphosa expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties, noting that the strong friendship between Nigeria and South Africa laid a solid foundation for deeper economic cooperation.
“Nigeria is home to numerous South African companies, and South Africa has always been open to Nigerian business, reflected in the investments and operations established here. But there is still more to be done. We must eliminate remaining barriers to investment and address some of the challenges businesses have faced,” he stated.
Ramaphosa also praised the Nigerian government for its ongoing reforms aimed at creating a more attractive environment for investors, including those from South Africa.
“Our government continues to work on improving the ease of doing business in South Africa. We want to ensure that investors can operate, trade, and explore opportunities across various sectors. We look forward to seeing more Nigerian companies invest in South Africa,” he said.
The South African leader also highlighted Africa’s development and the challenges faced by countries in the Global South, confirming that these issues would be a priority at the upcoming G20 Summit.
“This will be the first time the G20 Leaders’ Summit is held on African soil. We will push to garner support for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as we pursue an inclusive global agenda. For South Africa, we believe that shaping global discourse should ensure no one is left behind,” he added.
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