The Deputy Governor of Lagos, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, has stressed the need for South Africa and Nigeria to work closely together to drive economic growth in Africa.
Speaking at the Nigeria-South Africa Economic Diplomacy Roundtable on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in Lagos, Mr Hamzat said the state would be ready to connect both Africa’s giants to boost trade and investment.
He described the metropolis as a natural gateway for African innovation and investment, saying, “Lagos remains Africa’s commercial nerve centre where trade, talent, and technology intersect.”
“Strengthening South Africa–Nigeria cooperation is not only strategic for both economies; it is essential for the continent’s collective progress,” the Deputy Governor stated at the forum themed Africa’s Twin Engines: How Nigeria–South Africa Relations Can Position Africa as a Global Middle Power.
The event was convened under the auspices of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of South Africa and supported by the Lagos State Government, showcased the shared responsibility of both nations to advance regional integration, trade, and sustainable growth under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
During the conference, a Nigeria–South Africa standards and e-certification pilot under AfCFTA was launched, as a cross-border SME payments corridor leveraging digital payment rails was established, and a talent mobility framework to enable the mutual recognition of scarce digital skills was unveiled.
Welcoming guests to the programme, the chief executive of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola, emphasised that the roundtable aimed to translate intent into execution by identifying specific cross-border pilot projects and timelines for delivery.
“We meet for a simple purpose; to turn intent into execution. When South Africa and Nigeria act together, we can transform shared potential into measurable progress for our people and our continent.
“MTN will continue to provide the digital infrastructure, platforms, and partnerships needed to make this collaboration real,” Mr Toriola stated.
In her remarks, the Deputy Minister of DIRCO, Ms Thandi Moraka, reaffirmed the importance of practical collaboration between the two nations.
“Nigeria and South Africa share not just a history of solidarity but a future of shared responsibility. As Africa’s twin engines of growth, our task is to move beyond rhetoric and drive practical collaboration and policies that align, systems that connect, and opportunities that empower our people. The AfCFTA gives us the platform; our partnership must give it life,” she stated.