South Africa has taken a significant step to strengthen ties with Nigeria by simplifying its visa rules for Nigerian travelers. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on December 3, during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, that Nigerian tourists no longer need to submit their passports when applying for visas. This meeting was attended by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.

In a bid to make travel smoother, Ramaphosa highlighted that South Africa’s visa process has been made easier for Nigerian businesspeople and tourists. One of the new measures includes a five-year multiple-entry visa, designed to provide flexibility for frequent travelers.

“Our efforts to create a favorable environment included simplifying the visa process for Nigerian businesspeople traveling to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian businesspeople were granted a five-year multiple-entry visa,” said Ramaphosa.

This development also aligns with South Africa’s commitment to fostering investment between the two nations. The President assured that South Africa is working to remove obstacles that hinder investments and to address challenges faced by companies in both countries.

As both nations celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations, Ramaphosa expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria-South Africa ties. He noted that their shared history and strong friendship provide a solid foundation for deeper economic collaboration.

South Africa’s relaxed visa rules signify a positive step toward boosting tourism, trade, and investment between the two countries.