To underscore the growing momentum behind the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria and South Africa—two of Africa’s largest economies—are taking bold steps to reinforce trade relations, spur investment, and promote intra-African commerce.
This renewed commitment is exemplified by a high-level trade mission led by WesGro, the official tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, which brought a diverse delegation of over 12 South African companies to Nigeria. The participating firms represented key economic sectors such as agribusiness, renewable energy, ICT, tourism, film, and business services.
According to WesGro’s Head of Africa, Michael Gamwo, this is not just about trade—it’s about long-term economic cooperation that can unlock the full potential of AfCFTA.
“South Africa and Nigeria are giants on the continent. If AfCFTA is to thrive, then these two nations must lead by example,” Gamwo said, noting that trade agreements will not succeed if businesses are not engaging, connecting, and forming productive alliances.
Speaking on the sideline, Gamwo explained that WesGro has been instrumental in strengthening business-to-business connections across the continent by linking companies from the Western Cape with counterparts in various African nations. In Nigeria, many South African firms are already represented by local partners—a testament to the success of past trade engagements.
“Many of our companies don’t even have to travel anymore. They’re represented here by Nigerian partners who understand the local terrain and market dynamics. That’s a clear indicator of the growing trust and synergy between our business communities,” he stated.
However, the collaboration is not one-sided. Gamwo extended an invitation to Nigerian entrepreneurs to visit South Africa and explore the multitude of opportunities available there.
“We can only bring a limited number of companies on trade missions, which means Nigerians don’t get to see the full scope of South African offerings,” he noted. “But if you come to South Africa, we can expose you to a wider range of opportunities, especially in sectors like renewable energy and agribusiness. WesGro is ready to facilitate those connections.”
While the delegation was focused on trade, it also raised critical logistical concerns that continue to hinder African integration—chief among them, visa accessibility and inter-country travel barriers.
Gamwo highlighted that business partnerships can only flourish when both governments commit to easing entry restrictions.
“Intra-African travel should be seamless, yet that’s not the reality. Thankfully, the Nigerian government has made commendable progress with the introduction of the e-visa system,” Gamwo said.
He praised the Nigerian e-visa regime as a model for the continent, noting that members of the South African delegation secured their visas within 48 hours—something nearly unimaginable just a few years ago.
“That’s a powerful story. In the past, the visa process was expensive and frustrating. Now it’s faster, more efficient, and less costly. Other African countries should take a cue from Nigeria. Trade cannot thrive when the process of simply traveling to a neighbouring country is an obstacle,” he emphasised.
Gamwo stressed that these improvements are not only practical—they’re vital to enabling agencies like WesGro to function effectively. “If we’re spending half our time solving visa issues, we’re not doing the real work of building partnerships. Nigeria has made that easier, and we applaud that.”, he added.
On the economic impact of the South Africa-Nigeria partnership, Gamwo offered a clear analysis of mutual benefits. For South Africa, Nigeria represents a major market for exports, helping drive job creation back home. Meanwhile, Nigeria gains more from inward investment by South African companies—especially in sectors that generate employment and contribute to local capacity building.
“Crude oil might generate revenue, but it doesn’t create many jobs,” he explained. “However, when South African companies invest in Nigeria’s service sector, ICT, hospitality, and construction industries, they create real employment and stimulate local economies.”
Gamwo highlighted major South African investments in Nigeria—like MTN, Shoprite, and South African banks—but stressed that the most impactful partnerships are often those involving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“You may not see them on billboards, but SMEs are where the real job creation happens. They partner with Nigerians to deliver engineering services, build IT solutions, and strengthen supply chains, that’s where the growth is.” Gamwo stated.
The Nigeria facilitator for WesGro Trade Events and Founder of Makire Africa, Margaret Chichi Nkire, affirmed that WesGro—the official trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, South Africa—has been facilitating trade missions and business events in Nigeria for over a decade.
Nkire explained that these engagements have been consistently organised in collaboration with the South African Embassy in Nigeria, the South Africa-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, and South African Tourism. The initiative, she noted, is designed to foster stronger commercial ties between South African and Nigerian businesses by creating platforms for meaningful engagement, knowledge sharing, and viable investment opportunities.
“The core objective is to connect South African and Nigerian business communities, encouraging bilateral investments and opening new business frontiers,” Nkire said. “These events are critical touchpoints for Nigerians interested in expanding into South Africa and vice versa.”
She emphasised that the annual trade missions have a strong track record of success, consistently attracting high levels of participation and producing tangible outcomes. This year’s two-day trade event followed the established format: Day One was dedicated to business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking sessions, where South African delegates and Nigerian counterparts held direct, in-depth discussions. Participating businesses included members of the SA-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Nkire expressed optimism that the seminar and associated meetings would foster long-term partnerships that could drive economic growth and empowerment on both sides. She highlighted the potential for collaboration in critical sectors such as tourism, film, television, agribusiness, ICT, and renewable energy. In particular, she underscored the importance of empowerment for youth and women through business development opportunities.
“By creating space for networking and knowledge exchange, we’re laying the groundwork for inclusive economic growth. This is especially crucial for youth and women entrepreneurs who need greater access to opportunities and markets,” she said.
She added that creative sectors like film and television—areas where both Nigeria and South Africa have global recognition—are ripe for collaboration and growth, noting that with the right investments and partnerships, they could become major drivers of employment and economic empowerment across both countries.
With over 10 years of consistent engagement, Nkire said WesGro’is trade missions have become a cornerstone of South Africa-Nigeria economic relations. She expressed confidence that the growing momentum between the two countries, especially in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), will continue to unlock new possibilities for businesses, drive intra-African trade, and promote shared prosperity.
