The Consul-General of South Africa to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe has announced that instead of the previous six-month processing time, Nigerians who seek to visit the south africa will now receive their visas in seven days.
This was disclosed by the envoy to pressmen at the July Breakfast Meeting sponsored by South Africa Airways with the theme “Diplomatic Relations Between South Africa and Nigeria-Prospects and Challenges’, held in Lagos recently, according to The Punch.
Moroe stated that the new expedited process comes with a requirement that candidates attach photocopies of their travel passports to their applications as they wait to be called in to submit the same paperwork in person for a visa.
Moroe also pointed out that 2022 figures showed that trade volume between the two nations was $72.1 billion in Nigeria’s favour compared to $447 million in South Africa.
He explained that rubber, petroleum and crude oil accounted for the $72.1bn trade volume in favour of Nigeria.
The envoy said that the $447 million in trade gains to South Africa were a result of magnetic rubber stoppers, an advanced device used in businesses to prevent water spills, among other uses.
But you also have the exportation of pears and apples, which accounts for $43.2m. That is why we say the consumption of apples and pears in Nigeria is very high. Considering the population of Nigeria and South Africa, it makes sense that the trade balance is in your favour but I think more can be done, especially in increasing the number of Nigerian companies in South Africa,” he stated.
