Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss strengthening economic and regional relations.
Tinubu held extensive bilateral discussions with Ramaphosa to promote economic development diplomacy, according to a statement issued by presidential media aide Ajuli Gelare on Monday.
Tinubu said Africa needed to come to an agreement on the billions of dollars spent through multilateral development banks over the years. He said funding must respond to the unique needs of Africa's developing democracies, even if it is done with only enlightened self-interest in mind.
“We have all the necessary human and natural resources between our two countries. We can work together in a mutually beneficial way and enrich our people. We have a role to play in the mineral development sector,” Tinubu told the South African president.
The Nigerian President further added, “Your business community is doing well in the telecommunications sector in Nigeria. Our land is rich in great minerals and you have great expertise in this field. As brother and sister countries, we look forward to employment and mutually beneficial outcomes in this area.”
Mr Ramaphosa agreed that Nigeria and South Africa have the potential to build more wealth together if the two countries leverage each other's strengths and forge a close and purposeful partnership.
“We are the two largest economies on the African continent and it is important that we deepen our economic ties, especially in light of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. We are very keen to deepen our economic ties.” The President of South Africa explained.
He said history has shown that when Nigeria and South Africa work together, they can move the world on issues of common interest.
“We sincerely hope that Nigeria and South Africa will work closely together on many issues, because every time we join hands, we have influenced the world through our joint position. 'Together we can move the Global South forward,' Ramaphosa explained. “We are a plundered continent.”
He added: “Rich countries have gained a lot from us, so we must look for partners who will help us advance our own interests.”
Regarding Tinubu's chairmanship of the ECOWAS Heads of State body, Ramaphosa said Southern Africa needed to emulate the solidarity shown in West Africa after the Niger crisis.
“We believe there is much to learn from ECOWAS and its unity in building consensus on sub-regional issues. But it is something we try to emulate,” Ramaphosa said.
The South African leader also invited Mr. Tinubu to visit South Africa as part of efforts to use the opportunity of bilateral engagement to deepen economic ties and broader ties between the two countries.
While accepting the invitation, Tinubu asserted that an Africa where Nigeria and South Africa work synergistically to advance common interests is the strongest version of the African continent.
He said this would have a greater impact on world affairs for the benefit of more than one billion Africans with vast human and natural resource wealth.
Mr. Tinubu said: “Our continent is the last frontier on the planet capable of realizing massive, accelerated growth and new economic opportunities. We must take control of our own resources. We must strive to leverage each other effectively to achieve what is best for all of us, Mr. President. We look forward to an era of economically productive relationships. ”
(South)