According to Thekiso Rakolojane, regional head of South African tourism in West Africa, the 20 percent growth in tourism from Nigeria to South Africa over the past year has significantly boosted the economies of both nations. This increase contributed to the 95.1 billion rand ($5.3 billion) in direct spending recorded from international visitors during the 2023-2024 financial year, as reported by Business Day.
“The bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa, from a tourism perspective, have started to bear fruit,” Rakolojane told Nigerian and South African businessmen at a reception hosted by the South African Consul General on Tuesday.
“With all the challenges we’ve been experiencing in the market, Nigerians continue to visit South Africa for a holiday. Tourism arrivals to South Africa from Nigeria have grown by an average of 20 percent.”
Economic Impact of Nigerian Tourists on South Africa’s Tourism
Photo Source: Law and Visas.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille told lawmakers in July that tourism in South Africa rose by 9.7 percent this year, resulting in approximately 3.8 million arrivals between January and May compared with the previous year. She stated that tourism’s overall contribution to the nation’s economy was even higher, with expectations of an 8.8 percent contribution to South Africa’s GDP this year, up from 8.2 percent in 2023.
Rakolojane credited the observed growth to the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Consulate and South Africa Tourism in partnership with Nigerian banks. For instance, UBA facilitated visits to the Western Cape for 240 of its employees for tourism purposes, while the embassy helped arrange a similar trip for 200 Access Bank staff in December 2023.
Challenges Nigerians Face in Securing South African Visas
Despite the high number of Nigerian visitors to South Africa, travellers still face challenges with visa processing, which is required for entry into the country, sometimes risking rejection.
Earlier this year, the South African consulate faced backlash after Nigerian singer Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known as ‘Ayra Starr,‘ cancelled her Johannesburg and Cape Town performances when her visa application was denied. Nigerian U-18 boys’ basketball players also encountered delays in September, arriving late for the AfroBasket Men’s U-18 competition in South Africa due to visa issues.
South Africa Tourism confirms it is actively working to resolve visa processing issues in collaboration with the embassy, reassuring Nigerian travellers. However, for those eager to explore the beauty of Nigeria, consider checking out our article on Top 15 Nigeria Travel Destinations You Need To Visit In 2024 for unforgettable experiences.
The Road Ahead: Visa Negotiations Between Nigeria and South Africa
While South Africa offers visa-free travel to citizens of 32 African countries for up to 90 days, no such agreement exists with Nigeria due to delayed negotiations. “Nigeria is one of ten African countries currently negotiating visa agreements with the Department of Home Affairs,” said the tourism minister. She mentioned that she is actively following up on a deal with her Nigerian counterpart. A successful agreement could significantly ease travel for citizens of both countries and help further explore their bilateral strengths, offering hope for the future.
“We’ve received about 16,000 visitors from Nigeria in the first quarter of this year,” de Lille said. “There is movement, but it’s taking too long for Nigerians to obtain their visas.”
Nigeria and South Africa account for nearly a third of Africa’s economic power and have driven much of the continent’s conflict management initiatives over the last two and a half decades. The inability of Nigerian companies to penetrate the South African market has fuelled political and economic tensions between both countries. These tensions, often exacerbated by visa issues, can hinder tourism growth and economic relations between the two nations.
Rakolojane, who has lived in Nigeria for six years, suggested that Nigeria could be more active in speeding up discussions. He is confident these discussions are largely confined to online spaces, meaning that most tensions are expressed through social media and other online platforms. “The tensions are online. Nigerians are still travelling to South Africa,” he reassured. “Our country remains open to you.”
Ultimately, the decision on visa agreements rests with both countries. “It’s really up to the countries to decide what to do,” said the tourism minister.
To learn more about exploring Nigeria and its vibrant destinations, check out our insights on tourism in Nigeria here.