South Africa relaxes visa rules for Nigerian tourists, business owners

The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, said on Tuesday tourists and business owners from Nigeria can now apply for a visa to enter the country without submitting a passport.

Ramaphosa, according to a statement issued by Bayo Onaguga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, announced this at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town.

The Nigerian leader, who is the co-chairman of the BNC, also attended the session.

Ramaphosa said South Africa had simplified its visa processes to facilitate travel for Nigerian business people and tourists, with measures such as five-year multiple entry visas.

He said: “Our efforts to create a favourable environment include our simplified visa process for Nigerian business people to travel to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian business people can be granted a five-year multiple entry visa.”

He also assured of South Africa’s readiness to remove constraints on greater investment and address the challenges faced by companies in both countries.

“As we mark 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, we see a bright future for our relationship. Our strong bonds of friendship provide a firm foundation for more meaningful economic cooperation.

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“Nigeria is host to several South African companies. South Africa has always been open to Nigerian business, reflected in the number of investments and operations established in this country.

“But there is much more we need to do. We need to remove the remaining constraints to greater investment, just as we need to address some of the challenges that companies have experienced,” the South African leader added.

He acknowledged the Nigerian government’s reforms to further strengthen and foster a business environment that offered assurances to investors, including from South Africa.

“Our government continues with its efforts to improve the ease of doing business in South Africa. We want to enable investors to operate, trade, and pursue opportunities in various sectors.

“We look forward to seeing more Nigerian companies investing in South Africa,” he stated.

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