President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, December 3, delivered a significant address at the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commission in Cape Town.
His remarks outlined a vision for stronger collaboration between the two nations to lead Africa into a more prosperous future. Here are 15 key points from his speech:
1. Historical Bond: Tinubu lauded the longstanding solidarity between Nigeria and South Africa, rooted in their shared struggles against apartheid and the quest for justice.
2. Joint Responsibility: He highlighted the obligation of both countries to spearhead Africa’s progress toward equality, good governance, and development.
3. Youth as Catalysts: Recognizing youth as Africa’s most valuable resource, Tinubu stressed the need to empower young people in both nations for sustainable growth.
4. Driving Economic Growth: Tinubu urged Nigeria and South Africa to act as the engines of Africa’s economic development, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
5. From Promises to Progress: He called for the practical implementation of agreements and MoUs, moving beyond discussions to measurable outcomes.
6. Strengthening Business Ties: While acknowledging the success of South African businesses like MTN in Nigeria and Nigerian companies like Dangote in South Africa, Tinubu underscored the need to resolve existing challenges.
7. Youth Collaboration: Tinubu advocated for stronger partnerships between young people from both nations to harness their innovation for development.
8. Global Reform Advocacy: He reaffirmed a shared commitment to advocating for global institutional reforms, disarmament, and addressing Africa’s colonial legacies.
9. Combating Illegal Mining: Tinubu proposed forming a coalition of African nations to address the economic and environmental impacts of illegal mining.
10. Nigeria’s G20 Aspiration: Expressing Nigeria’s desire to join South Africa in the G20, he stressed the importance of amplifying Africa’s voice in global decision-making.
11. A Model Partnership: Tinubu envisioned the partnership between Nigeria and South Africa as a template for collaboration across Africa.
12. Prioritizing Human Capital: He emphasized the need to develop Africa’s human resources, particularly its youth, as the key to future prosperity.
13. Unity for Transformation: Tinubu called for unity between Nigeria and South Africa to fulfill their shared leadership roles in transforming the continent.
14. Changing Africa’s Narrative: He challenged both nations to reshape global perceptions of Africa as a land of opportunities rather than challenges.
15. Leveraging the G20 Presidency: Tinubu urged South Africa to use its G20 presidency to champion Africa’s priorities on the global stage and drive development across the continent.
President Tinubu’s address reinforced the importance of collaboration and leadership between Nigeria and South Africa in charting a transformative path for Africa.