The Consul General of Nigeria to South Africa, Mr Abdulmalik Ahmed, says Nigeria’s yearly exports to South Africa are in excess of $3.8 billion.
Ahmed disclosed this while speaking at a press conference which took place on Friday in Johannesburg.
He explained that South Africa remained Nigeria’s biggest partner over the years.
He also added that South Africa similarly exported $4.8 billion in 2018 to Nigeria.
He said, “South Africa is Nigeria’s biggest trading partner in Africa.
“Though dominated by oil, Nigeria’s export to South Africa is an excess of $3.8 billion annually. That represents about 6.3 per cent of the country’s total exports.
“Similarly, South Africa exported goods of about $4.9 billion in 2018 to Nigeria.
TBI Africa reports that Air Peace had on Dec. 17, operated its inaugural flight from Lagos to South Africa.
Speaking about the economic benefit of the flight the Nigerian envoy noted that route launch would help improve foreign inflows and encourage investment.
He said, “Nigeria provides a favourable business environment and large market for a wide range of South Africa companies including MTN, Multichoice, Shoprite, Protea hotels and more.
“The Lagos- Johannesburg route was serviced by Air Arik and South African Airways but unfortunately, both airlines could not sustain operations on the routes.
“It is against this background that Air Peace is entering the market.
Going further, he called upon Nigerians to establish more businesses in South Africa to quell xenophobic attacks.
Ahmed said: “I will like to take this opportunity to call upon on Nigerian corporate entities to follow the lead of Air Peace and take advantage of the huge investment opportunities in South Africa.
“The death of Nigerian corporate entities here compared to a large number of South Africa entities in Nigeria do not reflect the spirit of industry of our people.
“An increase in corporate presence can be a weapon in the fight against xenophobia.
“We at the consulate are ever ready to facilitate the processes of your arrival,” he said.
Similarly, the Chief Operating Officer, Airports Company, South Africa, Mrs Fundi Sithe commended the airline for flying into their flagship airport, Oliver Tambo International Airport.
She noted that the number of passengers on the return trip showed that the route was much awaited.
She said, “Yesterday, we saw that the inaugural flight arrived at Oliver Tambo International Airport, Dec.17 on-time.
“It arrived with 85 passengers on board and departed later on with an estimated 207 passengers.
“That is quite significant because the difference tells us that there is a level of demand that has not been serviced.
The airport manager hoped for more frequencies and a direct route to Durban or Capetown, soon.
Chief Operating Officer of Air Peace, Mrs Toyin Olajide noted that the airline would be expecting three aircrafts to boost domestic and regional operations.
She disclosed that other international routes were in the offing, such as Houston-USA, Mumbai-India, Guangzhou-China and London.
Customers looking to connect cities in Nigeria or other countries which the airline was operating in were advised to apply, as the airline pledged to carry passengers to their final destination at a promo price of R6,175
