Abdul-Malik Ahmed, Nigeria’s consul general in Johannesburg, says the country needs to maintain good bilateral relations with South Africa, emphasising that the southern African nation has over 120 multinationals in Nigeria.

Mr Ahmed disclosed this on Sunday while addressing the Nigerian community to assess their activities in the country.

The consul general, who assumed office in November 2020, praised Nigeria-South Africa diplomatic relations while observing that it had been cordial between the two economic giants on the Africa continent.

Since 1995, both countries had played a key role in realising the African renaissance and liberation of the continent from neo-colonialism, said the diplomat.

Regarding the economic importance of South Africa to Nigeria, he stated, “A testimony to the relations between both countries is the presence of over 120 South African multinational companies in Nigeria and a sizeable number of Nigerians in the Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) sector.

“The contributions of Nigerian professionals in various spheres to the social and economic life of South Africa are also significant, and South Africa is currently among the top-10 investors in Nigeria.”

According to him, Nigeria is South Africa’s 10th biggest export market in Africa and 32nd globally, accounting for 64 per cent of South Africa’s trade with West Africa.

Mr Ahmed further noted, “Nigeria is also amongst its top three sources of crude oil, whereas the economic relationship is a win-win situation for both economies, the balance of trade relations is actually in favour of South Africa.

“It is, therefore, imperative that steps be taken to consolidate the diplomatic ties between the two countries and to nip in the bud any irritants to this partnership.”

He expressed hope in the African Continental Free Trade Area, providing tariff-free access to a market of over 1.3 billion people and providing a platform further to deepen economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

(NAN)