South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that tourists from Nigeria can now apply for visas without the need to submit their passports. Speaking at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town on Tuesday, Ramaphosa highlighted the efforts made by South Africa to streamline its visa application process to enhance travel for Nigerian tourists and business professionals.

This includes the introduction of five-year multiple entry visas for eligible Nigerian business travelers. “Our initiatives to create a welcoming environment involve simplifying the visa process for Nigerian business individuals traveling to South Africa. Those who qualify can receive a five-year multiple entry visa,” he explained. The President also reaffirmed South Africa’s dedication to eliminating barriers to increased investment and addressing the challenges faced by businesses in both nations. “As we celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations, we envision a prosperous future for our partnership. The strong ties of friendship between our countries lay a solid foundation for enhanced economic collaboration,” he noted.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that Nigeria hosts numerous South African enterprises and emphasized that South Africa remains open to Nigerian investments, as evidenced by the substantial number of business operations established in the country. “However, there is still more work to be done. We must eliminate the remaining obstacles to increased investment and tackle some of the challenges that firms have encountered,” he stated. The South African leader commended the Nigerian government for its reforms aimed at creating a more favorable business environment that offers assurances to investors, including those from South Africa.

“We eagerly anticipate seeing more Nigerian businesses investing in South Africa,” he added. Additionally, President Ramaphosa mentioned that the development of Africa and issues affecting countries in the Global South would be prominently featured on the G20 agenda. “This will mark the first time the G20 Leaders’ Summit takes place on African soil. We aim to rally support for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as we push for an inclusive global agenda,” he concluded.
Originally Published at TRAVELNEWSAFRICA