South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), in partnership with the South African Consulate General in Lagos, has concluded the 2025 Outward Selling Trade Mission to Nigeria.
The event, held on Thursday, focused on boosting trade cooperation, strengthening investor confidence, and addressing regulatory reforms between both nations.
The Acting High Commissioner and Consul General of South Africa in Nigeria, Professor Bobby J. Moroe, explained that the trade mission was designed to expand business-to-business cooperation and harness the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He stressed that both countries, with their large economies, must play leading roles in intra-African trade.
“This mission is about using the strength of our economies to deepen Africa’s role in global trade.
The partnerships built here can open opportunities for jobs, infrastructure, and industrial growth,” Moroe stated.
One of the highlights of the programme was a series of business matchmaking sessions organized by McKire Africa.
These sessions connected South African companies in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, engineering, agriculture, and agro-processing with Nigerian firms.
Founder of McKire Africa, Margaret Chichi Nkire, explained that the goal was to create distributorships, joint ventures, and long-term partnerships.
“These are practical steps that move beyond introductions. They provide a basis for distributorship, partnerships, and collaborations that support AfCFTA’s objective of increasing trade within Africa,” she said.
The trade mission also turned attention to Nigeria’s regulatory landscape. Barrister David Hachilam Nkire, Partner at Fola Sowemimo & Co (Sterling Partners), delivered a presentation on legal and regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is open for business, and the reforms being undertaken are designed to make it easier for investors to establish and expand their operations,” he explained.
“With credible local collaboration, South African businesses can not only survive but thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic market.”
Technology and innovation were also key talking points. Mr. Sonny Iroche, Chief Executive Officer of GEN AI Learning Concepts Limited, emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in facilitating trade.
He said AI tools could help authenticate business partners, assess financial capacity, and boost cross-border efficiency.
The Chairman of the Nigeria–South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Ije Jidenma, called on both governments and private sector leaders to sustain the collaboration.
According to him, Nigeria and South Africa play central roles in driving Africa’s economic integration, making cooperation vital for the continent’s growth.
The mission concluded with renewed commitments from both sides to strengthen trade cooperation. Stakeholders agreed to establish structured platforms for business and investment engagement, ensuring long-term partnerships that align with AfCFTA’s vision of increasing intra-African trade.
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