No Passport? Nigerians Can Now Apply for South African Visas Under New Bilateral Agreement

By Achimi Muktar

In a landmark move to boost tourism and bilateral ties, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Nigerians can now apply for South African visas without submitting a physical passport. This game-changing decision was unveiled during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Cape Town, with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

Simplifying Travel for Nigerians

As part of South Africa's push to strengthen economic and cultural ties with Nigeria, the visa process for Nigerian tourists and businesspeople has been significantly streamlined. Ramaphosa revealed that the initiative includes measures like issuing five-year multiple-entry visas for eligible Nigerian business travelers.

“Our efforts to create a favorable environment include our simplified visa process for Nigerian businesspeople to travel to South Africa,” Ramaphosa explained.

The South African president expressed hope that the measures would encourage more Nigerians to explore South Africa, whether for tourism or investment purposes.

Strengthening Bilateral Bonds

This policy comes as both nations celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations, with South Africa and Nigeria pledging to deepen their economic cooperation. President Ramaphosa highlighted the strong presence of South African companies in Nigeria and emphasized the need for mutual investment opportunities.

“Nigeria is host to a number of South African companies. South Africa has always been open to Nigerian business, reflected in the number of investments and operations established in this country. But there is much more we need to do,” Ramaphosa said.

He also commended the Nigerian government’s recent economic reforms, which aim to create a more conducive business environment for investors, including South African enterprises.

A Vision for African Unity

Beyond bilateral relations, Ramaphosa also underscored Africa’s shared future, stressing the importance of placing the continent’s development on the global stage. He pledged South Africa’s commitment to championing the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and other inclusive policies at the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit, which will be hosted on African soil for the first time.

“We will seek to galvanize support for the AU's Agenda 2063 as we pursue an inclusive global agenda. Programmes should ensure that in our societies, no one is left behind,” he said.

A Gateway to Opportunity

The simplified visa process is expected to spur tourism, trade, and investment between the two nations, opening doors for Nigerian entrepreneurs and tourists alike. As both countries work to address lingering challenges faced by businesses, this move signals a fresh chapter in Nigeria-South Africa relations.

For Nigerians looking to explore South Africa’s rich landscapes or expand their business horizons, the process just got a lot easier. No passport? No problem!