Nigeria and South Africa have reaffirmed commitments to transform their long-standing political and economic relationship into tangible development outcomes through joint projects and private-sector-driven initiatives.
This renewed momentum was highlighted at the South Africa–Nigeria Economic Diplomacy Roundtable held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at MTN Plaza in Lagos, hosted by MTN with the theme “Africa’s Twin Engines: How Nigeria–South Africa Relations Can Position Africa as a Global Middle Power”.
In his keynote address, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the roundtable as a landmark opportunity to deepen cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies.
“This roundtable is not just another diplomatic meeting; it is a continuation of a historic partnership between two powerful African nations,” he said.
“The South Africa–Nigeria corridor is brimming with potential, and today’s discussions give us the chance to turn that potential into real, measurable progress.”
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, outlined Lagos’ strategic role as a gateway to the West African economy, noting major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos–Badagry Expressway and the Lekki Deep Sea Port, alongside a massive 3,000-kilometre MetroFibre broadband project that is positioning the state as a smart, connected city.
He invited South African investors to explore Lagos’ fast-growing value chains in manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy, fintech, and the creative economy.
“We can build a corridor of shared prosperity that connects the industrial strength of South Africa with the innovation and market depth of Lagos to power the next chapter of Africa’s growth story,” he said. “I want this Lagos Roundtable to stand as a turning point that moves us beyond goodwill and dialogue into the realm of action and measurable outcomes.”
Speaking at the event, Thandi Moraka, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, said both countries are now moving from policy to action, implementing resolutions from the 11th Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Cape Town in December 2024.
“We are now entering the implementation phase of the BNC decisions. Turning outcomes into projects requires strong coordination, credible partnerships, and continuous political oversight,” Moraka stated. “Our governments can create enabling frameworks, but the private sector must turn those frameworks into reality.”
Moraka highlighted that the BNC had directed the creation of the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (JMACITI), a new mechanism designed to identify and remove trade bottlenecks, align regulations, and facilitate targeted investments between South African and Nigerian companies.
“This is what ‘turning outcomes into projects’ looks like in practice, where we are transforming what was in a communique into a functioning, problem-solving mechanism,” she explained.
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In his welcome address, Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, emphasised that the roundtable aimed to translate intent into execution by identifying specific cross-border pilot projects and timelines for delivery.
“We meet for a simple purpose; to turn intent into execution,” he said. “When South Africa and Nigeria act together, we can transform shared potential into measurable progress for our people and our continent. MTN will continue to provide the digital infrastructure, platforms, and partnerships needed to make this collaboration real.”
Source: Business Day
