South Africa and Nigeria have agreed
to a visa waiver for officials of both countries. The visa waiver was one of nine
agreements signed between officials of both countries, during President
Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the former apartheid enclave. The other pacts
cover oil and gas, power, defence and communication.
Ministers from both countries have been
charged to ensure the effective implementation of the newly signed instruments
and the conclusion of outstanding agreements.
President Jacob Zuma yesterday [May
7] said more than 100 South African companies were doing business in Nigeria
across several industries.
“To date, over 100 companies are
doing business in Nigeria, with the biggest investment being in the
telecommunications sector”, Zuma said in a speech to welcome Jonathan to South
Africa.
“We welcome the participation of
South African business in other sectors in Nigeria as well, such as
engineering, construction, media, banking, retail, hospitality, oil and gas
exploration and services.”
Last year, South Africa received
73,282 Nigerian tourists, representing 13.8 percent increase compared with the
64,402 who visited in 2011, said Zuma.
“Our records indicate that Nigerian
tourists contributed a total of R720 million to the South African economy last
year. To boost tourism links further, South Africa is in the process of opening
a tourism office in Lagos.”
In his responding, President Jonathan,
described the signing of nine bilateral agreements between the two countries is
a major achievement that would enhance the critical role of Nigeria and South
Africa in transforming the continent.
The President later
addressed joined session of the South African parliament where he re-echoed the
need for the two countries to strengthen partnership in growing the continent’s
economy.