LAGOS, NIGERIA – 30 JUNE 2023 | On 4 July 2023 Brand South Africa, in collaboration with the South African Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria, the South African Chapter of the BRICS Business Council and South African Tourism will host a Business Roundtable under the theme Promoting Regional and Continental Trade Through the AfCFTA and BRICS in Africa. The roundtable is aimed at encouraging dialogue on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which came into effect in May 2019, as well as providing insight into the significance of South Africa’s membership of the BRICS formation.
The roundtable will also provide a platform for engagement between the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s private sector, civil society, and government to deliberate on key issues of mutual interest and concern as well exploring solutions aimed at creating economic opportunities for both countries.
Nigeria is not only a strategic partner in the continent for South Africa, but the Federal Republic has also emerged as a priority country for South Africa as it represents over two thirds market share for South African exports and investments in the West-Africa sub region.
From a tourism perspective, Nigeria remains an important source market for South Africa. Partnerships, intentional collaborations, and continued dialogues are important for the growth of both countries’ tourism sectors. This collaboration certainly contributes to advancing efforts to enhance relations between South Africa and Nigeria thus allowing the two countries to collectively address issues that hinder growth for both countries.
In the month of April 2023, South Africa welcomed 3.6% more visitors from Nigeria when compared to April 2022.
Since 1994 Nigeria and South Africa’s bilateral relations have grown significantly, to the extent that Nigeria is South Africa 7th largest African export market and Nigeria is one of South Africa’s primary crude oil suppliers.
In creating awareness of the AfCFTA, and encouraging intercontinental trade amongst African countries, the dialogue will focus on the importance of African countries’ contribution at the upcoming BRICS Business Forum and Summit taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August 2023, and what the BRICS formation means for the continent through a dialogue session.
Panelists in include:
- Mr Greg Munyai, Economic Counselor, High Commission of the Republic of South Africa in Nigeria
- Ms Busi Mabuza – Chairperson of the South African Chamber of the BRICS Business Council
- Ms Nomasonto Ndlovu – Chief Executive Officer (Acting) at South African Tourism
- Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers (NSACC)
- Professor Olufemi Saibu – Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Lagos
- Dr Chinyere Almona -Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerceand Industry
- Professor Eghose Osaghae -Director General, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)
- Dr Olawale Anifowose – Business Development and Ecosystems Builder
Members of the media are invited to attend the business roundtable as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Time: 09h30-13h00
Venue: Raddison Blu Anchorage, Victoria Island
For more information and to RSVP email: dlaminib@dirco.gov.za and/or phindilem@brandsouthafrica.com
ENDS///
NOTE TO THE EDITOR
About Brand South Africa
Brand South Africa is the official marketing agency of South Africa, with a mandate to build the country’s brand reputation, in order to improve its global competitiveness. Its aim is also to build pride and patriotism among South Africans, in order to contribute to social cohesion and nation brand ambassadorship.
About the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO) vision is an African continent, which is prosperous, peaceful, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable.
DIRCO’s mission is to formulate, coordinate, implement and manage South Africa’s foreign policy and international relations programmes and promote South Africa’s National Interest and values and the African Renaissance (and create a better world for all).
About the South African Chapter of the BRICS Business Council
Currently in its 10th year, the South African Chapter of the BRICS Business Council was established during the Fifth BRICS Summit held in March 2013 in Durban, South Africa. The objective of creating the council was to constitute a platform which will promote and strengthen business, trade and investment ties amongst the business communities of the five BRICS countries, ensure that there is regular dialogue between the business communities of the BRICS nations and the Governments of the BRICS countries; and identify problems and bottlenecks to ensure greater economic, trade and investment ties amongst the BRICS countries and recommend solutions accordingly.
About South African Tourism
South African Tourism is the tourism marketing agency of the Department of Tourism. Our mandate is to promote South Africa to both domestic and international travellers whether they are travelling for leisure or business events purposes. A welcoming, friendly and fun destination, South Africa offers a wide array of experiences and facilities to cater for varied traveller preferences and needs. South African Tourism has made great strides in introducing and marketing South Africa and has over the years, grown to become a global tourism organisation on a mission to market all that is unique and exceptional about South Africa.
