South Africa and Nigerian have committed themselves to creating a “conducive environment” for businesses to operate and thrive in their respective countries, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in Abuja on Wednesday.
The president, who is on a state visit to the country, was speaking at a meet and greet session in the capital where he met business leaders ahead of a Nigeria-South Africa Business Forum and his bilateral trade talks with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.
“Nigeria is a very important economy and market from our country’s perspective, and I guess from your own business perspective as well. That is why so many South African businesses have planted their business operations in Nigeria,” Ramaphosa said.
The president told business leaders that it was important to showcase the presence and operations of South African businesses in countries that people travel to often.
He, however, admitted there were a number of challenges that saw a number of companies exit for one reason or another.
This was something he would like to shed light on so that the issues could fully be understood, he added.
“It so happens that in my discussions with President Buhari, both last night over dinner and this morning, this matter has been raised and will be raised again,” he said.
He added: “We have both agreed, as two countries, that we are going to improve and create a conducive environment for our businesses to operate in — for both Nigerian businesses in South Africa and South African businesses in Nigeria — within an environment that will enable businesses to thrive and grow.”
“That is an objective we have in mind,” the president said.
NM/as/APA