South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a significant change in visa requirements for Nigerian tourists.
He said that Nigerian travelers can now apply for South African visas without submitting their physical passports.
This policy aims to simplify the application process and encourage more tourism and business travel between the two countries.
Ramaphosa made this disclosure on Tuesday at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town, which President Bola Tinubu attended.
He noted that South Africa has streamlined its visa processes to ease travel for Nigerian business people and tourists, including introducing five-year multiple-entry visas.
“Our efforts to create a favourable environment include our simplified visa process for Nigerian business people to travel to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian business people can be granted a five-year multiple entry visa,” he said.
Ramaphosa also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to removing barriers to increased investment and resolving challenges faced by businesses operating in both countries.
“As we mark 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, we see a bright future for our relationship. Our strong bonds of friendship provide a firm foundation for more meaningful economic cooperation.
“Nigeria is host to a number of South African companies. South Africa has always been open to Nigerian business, reflected in the number of investments and operations established in this country.
“But there is much more we need to do. We need to remove the remaining constraints to greater investment, just as we need to address some of the challenges that companies have experienced,” he added.
The South African president commended the Nigerian government for its reforms aimed at enhancing a business-friendly environment that provides assurances to investors, including those from South Africa.
“Our government continues with its efforts to improve the ease of doing business in South Africa. We want to enable investors to operate, trade and pursue opportunities in various sectors.
“We look forward to seeing more Nigerian companies investing in South Africa,” he stated.
President Ramaphosa stated that Africa’s development and the challenges facing countries in the Global South would be prioritized on the G20 agenda.
“It will be the first time the G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held on African soil. We will seek to galvanise support for the AU’s Agenda 2063 as we pursue an inclusive global agenda.
“For South Africa, it is our view that in shaping global discourse, programs should be tailored to ensure that in our societies, no one is left behind,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu is currently in South Africa to participate in the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission taking place in Cape Town.
