At the Nigeria–South Africa Presidential Trade and Investment Breakfast Dialogue, MTN joined senior Nigerian officials and state governors in reaffirming commitments to investment, infrastructure and deeper bilateral economic cooperation.
MTN Aligns with High-Level Nigeria–South Africa Trade Dialogue
Leading African telco MTN Group (site) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and South Africa at the Nigeria–South Africa Presidential Trade and Investment Breakfast Dialogue, held this month and convened by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa.
MTN “was privileged to support” the dialogue, which took place ahead of the G20 Summit and carried the theme “Driving Sustainable Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Trade.” The telecommunications group reaffirmed its commitment to “solidifying the economic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa” at the event.
Focus on Intra-African Trade, Investment and Infrastructure
In his welcome remarks, MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita underlined the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship, saying, “Strengthening the economic ties between Nigeria and South Africa is essential for boosting intra-African trade, attracting quality investment and accelerating industrial development. Infrastructure, both digital and physical, will continue to be the engine of this progress. Today’s engagement underscores our shared belief that by working together we can create an Africa that is more resilient, more competitive and better positioned to seize global opportunities.”
Mr Mupita emphasised the critical nature of the bilateral relationship and that the dialogue “signaled a renewed collaboration between the government and corporate giants to strengthen the continent’s economic foundations.”
MTN links its support for the dialogue to its broader “Ambition 2025” strategy and “ongoing work to drive digital and financial inclusion across the continent,” describing a focus on enabling environments “where businesses can thrive, investment can grow, and technology can accelerate development for millions.”
Nigeria Signals Openness to Investment and Growth Targets
The Nigerian Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, described the high-level meeting as pivotal in aligning private-sector capabilities with the Federal Government’s wider economic agenda and “reinforced the federal government’s commitment to attracting foreign capital.” He reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to investors, quoting him as saying, “Nigeria is open for business, safe for investment.”
Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, used the platform to outline Nigeria’s growth aspirations. She “highlighted Nigeria’s ambition to grow its GDP by 7% by 2027 and to expand employment opportunities across the country,” anchored on four pillars: “strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals, advancing sound governance and regulatory reforms, expanding critical infrastructure, and improving access to capital.”
State-Level Participation and Public–Private Engagement
The dialogue brought together ministers, governors, South African CEOs and investors to explore ways of deepening collaboration between the two economies. The investment session featured several Nigerian state leaders, including H.E. Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna), H.E. Alh. Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), H.E. Engr. Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Senator Ademola Adeleke (Osun), H.E. Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), H.E. Mohammed Umaru Bago (Niger), H.E. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah (Enugu), H.E. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and H.E. Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina).
The dialogue ultimately brought together Nigerian leaders, South African business figures, and MTN around a unified goal: strengthening Nigeria–South Africa economic ties through sustainable investment, innovation, and more inclusive trade.
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