In South Africa, there will be a new visa policy through which Nigerians can apply for five-year multiple entry visa. This visa is for tourists or business persons who wish to visit the country more often in order to improve the flow of visitors between the two countries.
One of the major changes is that this visa can now be procured without presenting the passport.
This implies that the visa application process can be done through the internet or through other means which does not require the presentation of the passport.
The policy is to promote commerce and economic relations through the enhancement of mobility so that more Nigerian businesses and tourists visit South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa pointed out that the country wanted to see more Nigerian products in the South African markets which suggested the desired increase in the bilateral trade. This could be in areas of production, technology, and food for instance.
The changes in the visas are the latest steps by South Africa to enhance the ease of doing business and create a favorable environment for Nigerian investors to engage in business, trade and investment in the South African economy.
This announcement was made during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, thus underlining the significance of this decision in relation to the current state of relations between the two countries.
While this is viewed as a welcome measure towards the integration and development of the two economies, some South Africans have expressed concerns on immigration and employment.
Nevertheless, the government’s discourse is based on the notion of win-win cooperation.
This policy is in line with South Africa’s general approach towards it's participation in other international economic conferences including the G20, which has development and integration of the African economy and increase of intra-African trade as some of its priorities.