President Bola Tinubu has called for the Nigeria-South Africa strategic partnership to serve as a model of leadership, economic integration, and shared prosperity for the African continent.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, Tinubu urged both nations to overcome “irritants” hindering their collaboration and focus on transforming Africa’s global image.
Co-chairing the presidential session with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tinubu emphasized the importance of cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies.
He noted the partnership’s potential to redefine global perceptions of Africa and promote transformational leadership.
“The continent looks up to us; we cannot afford to fail it,” Tinubu said, urging both nations to strengthen economic, political, and cultural ties.
“Our successes will change the negative narratives of seeing Africa as a continent perpetually mired in poverty and conflict.”
Tinubu praised the progress achieved under the BNC framework over the past 25 years, with more than 30 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements in operation.
However, he stressed the importance of actionable implementation, urging senior officials to redouble their efforts.
“Let us not count our successes by the number of MoUs signed. They will be mere papers until we implement them in spirit and letter,” he said.
Tinubu identified the continent’s youth as its most valuable resource, calling for closer ties to harness their potential.
“Beyond natural resources, our most precious resource is the huge youth population in both countries,” he said, proposing programs to connect Nigerian and South African youth for mutual development.
He noted that his administration has empowered young people in key sectors of the Nigerian economy, emphasizing the need to invest in youth as the future of the continent.
On illegal mining, Tinubu proposed joint action with South Africa to curb its detrimental effects on Africa’s economies.
“Illegal mining is robbing our nations of precious income and fostering poverty and environmental degradation,” he said.
Tinubu called for both nations to lead efforts in addressing the issue on the global stage.
The President acknowledged the significant contributions of South African companies such as MTN and Multichoice in Nigeria and Nigerian firms such as Dangote Group and Access Bank in South Africa.
The Nigerian leader wants deeper economic integration and efforts to resolve persistent challenges in bilateral relations.
Tinubu urged South Africa to use its current G20 presidency to advocate for African interests, reiterating Nigeria’s aspiration to join the bloc.
“The continent deserves more representation in the G20, and Nigeria is ready to take its place alongside South Africa and the African Union.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s historic support for South Africa during the apartheid era, Tinubu reaffirmed the importance of solidarity between the two nations.
“This is the essence of brotherhood we seek for this continent: to stay side by side, shoulder to shoulder, for liberation, discrimination, and democratic good governance.”
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