Stakeholders from Nigeria and South Africa have called for deeper economic alignment, increased investment flows and accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as both nations position themselves as key drivers of Africa’s growth.

The call was made at the second edition of the South Africa–Nigeria Economic Diplomacy Roundtable held in Lagos, hosted by MTN Nigeria as part of the 2026 South Africa Focus Week.

Speakers at the forum noted that although both countries occupy a strategic place in Africa’s economic structure, their bilateral partnership remains underutilised, stressing the need for deliberate policy coordination and stronger private sector collaboration to unlock its full potential.

Acting Consul General of South Africa in Nigeria, Kgothatso Xulu, said the two economies account for over one-third of sub-Saharan Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making their cooperation pivotal to the continent’s development.

“When South Africa and Nigeria align economically, the impact will not only be significant but transformative for the entire continent,” she stated.

Xulu, however, lamented that intra-African trade still accounts for less than 20 per cent of total trade on the continent, underscoring the urgency for deeper regional integration and value chain development.

She identified telecommunications, the digital economy, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy as critical sectors with vast opportunities for both countries to build resilient and mutually beneficial economic partnerships.

The roundtable attracted policymakers, investors and business leaders, all seeking practical pathways to translate bilateral engagements into measurable economic outcomes.

Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, represented by the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, said the firm’s operations across Africa demonstrate the power of cross-border investments in strengthening economic ties.

He disclosed that MTN has made significant investments in digital infrastructure, including over 135,000 kilometres of fibre networks across the continent, while its mobile financial services platform continues to drive millions of transactions.

According to him, Nigeria and South Africa are not only trade partners but also standard setters for Africa’s economic integration.

Also speaking, Chairperson of the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Ije Jidenma, stressed the need for stronger collaboration in infrastructure, energy, logistics and digital connectivity.

She added that economic diplomacy must move beyond dialogue to building trust and fostering joint ventures capable of driving growth and creating jobs.

On her part, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Aisha Rimi, said policy consistency and the removal of regulatory bottlenecks remain critical to attracting and retaining investors.

She urged the private sector to actively engage government institutions in resolving investment challenges, noting that collaboration is essential to achieving the objectives of AfCFTA.

“Without lifting barriers in all forms, AfCFTA will remain a pipe dream. This is the time for collaboration,” she said.

In a related interview, Director for Africa Bilateral Economic Relations at South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Calvin Phume, emphasised the need for both countries to address structural and macroeconomic constraints to deepen trade relations.

Participants at the forum agreed that the success of the Nigeria–South Africa partnership will ultimately depend on the ability of both nations to translate dialogue into concrete policies and investments that enhance market access and improve the ease of doing business.