President Bola Tinubu has emphasized the need for the Nigeria-South Africa strategic partnership to serve as a model of leadership, economic integration, and shared prosperity across Africa.
He made this statement on Tuesday during the opening of the 11th Session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town.
During the event, President Tinubu urged both nations to address the challenges that have hindered their collaboration and focus on transforming Africa’s global image.
He highlighted the importance of cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies and the potential of this partnership to change global perceptions of the continent.
The continent looks up to us; we cannot afford to fail it.
“We need to leverage the potential of this partnership to strengthen economic, political, business-to-business, as well as people-to-people relationships between the two countries, bearing in mind the tremendous benefits it promises.
“Our successes will change the negative narratives of seeing Africa as a country perpetually mired in poverty and conflict and with their leaders unable to offer the kind of transformational leadership the continent deserves,” he stated.
Co-chairing the BNC with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Tinubu underscored the importance of deepening ties between the two nations, stressing that stronger cooperation could foster economic, political, and social relations between Nigeria and South Africa.
He also encouraged South Africa to advocate for Africa’s interests during its current G20 presidency and expressed Nigeria’s desire to join the G20 alongside South Africa and the African Union.
President Tinubu noted that Africa looks to Nigeria and South Africa for leadership and cannot afford failure. He stated that leveraging this partnership would not only benefit both nations but also challenge negative narratives about Africa’s struggles with poverty, conflict, and leadership.
Reflecting on the achievements of the BNC, established 25 years ago, President Tinubu acknowledged that over 30 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements are currently in operation between the two countries. However, he emphasized that true success lies in the implementation of these agreements and called on senior officials to focus on making them actionable.
The Nigerian leader also highlighted the importance of Africa’s youth, referring to them as the continent’s most valuable resource. He called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa to harness the potential of young people in both nations, emphasizing the need for investments in skills and development.
Beyond natural resources, our most precious resource is the huge youth population in both countries.
“These young people represent the future. They are the demography that must be tended to and invested in, as well as skills and potentials harvested for development.
“My administration has built an inclusive government in which young people are now in charge of some of the key sectors of the economy, believing the future for them starts now.
“Let us connect Nigerian and South African Youth and leverage their potential for development,” President Tinubu stated.
Tinubu acknowledged the positive contributions of South African companies such as MTN and Multichoice in the Nigerian market and noted the expansion of Nigerian businesses like Dangote Group and Access Bank into South Africa. However, he recognized that challenges persist and called for solutions to address issues in their bilateral relations.
The Nigerian president proposed joint actions to combat illegal mining, an issue that deprives African nations of valuable resources and fuels conflict and environmental degradation. He urged both countries to work together to address this challenge and build professional capacity to ensure resources benefit the people.
Tinubu also warned against the spread of inland piracy, urging both nations to take the lead in addressing the issue at the global level.
In reflecting on the historic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, President Tinubu recalled Nigeria’s support during the apartheid era. He emphasized that this solidarity was a point of pride for Nigeria and highlighted the brotherhood between the two countries during crucial times in their shared struggle for freedom and democratic governance.
