A total of 73, 282 Nigerian tourists visited South Africa last year, contributing almost R800 million ($88.6m) to the country’s economy, President Jacob Zuma disclosed last night.
He was speaking at the end of official bilateral talks with Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan.
“This is a 13.8% increase to the 64 402 Nigerian tourists who visited South Africa in 2011. We welcome this upward trend,” Zuma told the media and delegations from both countries.
“Our records indicate that Nigerian tourists contributed a total of R720 million to the South African economy last year.”
Zuma urged South Africans to also visit Nigeria and explore “this sister country” which has historically played a prominent role in the continent and in world affairs.
Nigeria and South Africa are long-haul destinations from each other. But Nigerians are known for travelling to many far-flung destinations all over the world.
Nigeria, however, would have to embark on a huge marketing campaign to attract South African tourists to visit their shores.
South Africans are known to stay away from visiting destinations that are far from their country.
But this is set to change as South Africa is in the process of opening a tourism office in Nigeria, which will certainly boost tourism links between the two countries.
Turning to economic links between the two countries, Zuma said: “I am certain that the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum (which met in Cape Town yesterday) … will further boost economic relations between our two countries.”
He said over 100 South African companies are doing business in Nigeria, with the biggest investment being in the telecommunications sector.
South Africa’s telecommunications companies like MTN have a huge presence in Nigeria.
“We welcome the participation of South African business in other sectors in Nigeria as well, such as engineering, construction, media, banking, retail, hospitality, oil and gas exploration and services,” Zuma said.
“We have also seen a keen interest from Nigerian business in investing and doing business in South Africa across a number of sectors.”
