It’s time for Africa’s economic powerhouses, SA and Nigeria, to bury the beef

“South Africa-Nigeria relations are critical for the success of the African continent,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said after meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of Ramaphosa’s inauguration in June 2024.

There have been no further communication or key developments in bilateral relations since. This year’s events alone demonstrate the stark contrast between the portrayal of African relations on paper and their reality. 

In February, tension between Nigerians and South Africans flared when the Super Eagles soared past Bafana Bafana, advancing to the Africa Cup of Nations final, only to be beaten by Ivory Coast.

Then, in July, South Africans threw their hands up at the prospect of Chidimma Adetshina being crowned Miss South Africa 2024. A social media war broke out, sparking a vicious debate – one in which even political leaders were active.

Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, made it his mission to prove that Adetshina was not South African, recklessly provoking the identity politics that test the resolve of African unity. Adetshina was eventually ousted from the competition and cheekily welcomed to – and crowned as – Miss Universe Nigeria.

In the background of the Adetshina debacle, the SA Olympic team outdid itself in Paris, while Team Nigeria did not feature on the medals table.

To add salt to the wounds, Dricus du Plessis defeated Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya to secure his second consecutive UFC middleweight championship – another gloating moment to add to South Africa’s enviable collection of sports achievements.

Outside of the ring, Adesanya gracefully accepted his defeat and advocated for unity among Africans, which we wholly support. Yet, we just can’t seem to get along. 

South Africa has had its fair share of spectacle, with its global rankings in a shambles because of economic collapse and institutional degradation. While recent sporting achievements have given South Africans reason to celebrate, the country must amplify these victories by addressing the broader challenges it faces.

Similarly, in Nigeria, Tinubu’s choice to upend the almost 50-year legacy of fuel subsidies and his bold commitment to liberalising the naira has punctured the country’s economy.

Sharing more in common than they think – economic lethargy, a cost-of-living crisis and dissatisfied youth – these humbling grounds are a great place to bury the hatchet. 

IMF forecasts show that the Nigerian economy will slip into fourth place in Africa this year and South Africa’s growth forecast for 2024 is a measly 1.3%. With a GDP rank flirting with the top 30 countries, Nigeria’s economic growth rate of approximately 3% outshines South Africa’s. South Africa is wealthier, with its GDP per capita hovering at about $6,250.

Simply put, neither South Africa nor Nigeria are flag-bearers of success of late, but there are enough positives to get by for now. A holistic analysis would argue that they are Africa’s giants with enormous potential, and that is true.

Yet neither has the gravitas to walk the talk just yet. Both South Africa and Nigeria have suffered damage to their global reputations, but the situation is not beyond repair.

It certainly feels good to be South African again, following a past marred by scandal and gross neglect. With the goals of the new Government of National Unity (GNU) clearly set, the South African economy is being primed for an industrial boom focused on infrastructural development, increased energy capacity and optimal exports of transformed resources.

Nigeria shows promise in its defence capabilities and its production of arms. Strategically positioned to capitalise on its oil and gas potential (while simultaneously diversifying its economy), Nigeria is picking up pace in its efforts to regain its footing after a tumultuous first half of the year.

Earlier this month, its presidency announced a landmark gas pipeline deal with Equatorial Guinea. If Ramaphosa and Tinubu build strongholds in office, there is hope for a promising future.

Looking at the bigger African picture – and as geopolitics abruptly unfold – the need for an African “grand strategy” is urgent. Hard power is scarce, and soft power lacks imagination.

Africa as a whole struggles to navigate the ambiguity that exists between states. Lazy bilateral cooperation, sluggish regional blocs and an African Union (AU) that moves at a snail’s pace call for daring, creative strategies that can build unity fast. 

Are South Africa and Nigeria up for the job? A symbolic truce between the two nations might be the dose of inspiration the continent desperately seeks to boost its morale.

But turning foes into friends is easier said than done. While Nigeria and South Africa express intentions for increased cooperation, positive rhetoric is yet to be restored.

With neck-and-neck economies, healthy democracies, youthful populations and cultural booms, South Africa and Nigeria are powerhouses apart – but even more so together. Despite the obvious sore points, they could set their differences aside and rise to the occasion. 

First, they can focus on the low-hanging fruit: the realm of culture, where a wealth of untapped soft power lies. Cultural exchanges through music genres such as Amapiano and Afrobeats can build bridges, encouraging collaboration over competition.

According to a KPMG report earlier this year, arts, entertainment and recreation are among the fastest-growing sectors in Nigeria. In the music industry specifically, Nigerian artists like Wizkid, Davido, Omah Lay and Ayra Starr have risen to become global entertainment icons.

On other fronts, cultural and creative sectors in South Africa account for approximately 2.9% of GDP. Collaboration between South Africa and Nigeria in film and fashion is already thriving (ironically, South African icon Bonang Matheba showcased a collection of Nigerian designs when she hosted the Miss South Africa ceremony earlier this month).

Positive hype from joint initiatives highlighting Nigerian and South African talent can bolster African consciousness, triggering new waves of creative thinking, commercialisation and investment in talent development.

Second, African leaders do not prioritise intentional diplomatic visits to their fellow leaders on the continent, and feel-good engagements are scarce. Optics matter, and bad blood is bad for business. Official visits and joint communiques are smart tools to counter the “woe is Africa” storyline.

Ramaphosa and Tinubu can do more to improve their public image by following the social media strategies of leaders like Narendra Modi and Joe Biden. Prime Minister Modi boasts an impressive 101 million followers on X, the highest among all world leaders, whereas President Joe Biden (soon to have more time on his hands) has a respectable 38.5 million followers.

African leaders have a relatively lower following, with Ramaphosa at 2.8 million and Tinubu at 2.5 million. Social media platforms can engage the youth and nullify the negative narrative that plagues Africa. 

Third, and most challenging, while social media presence can capture attention, the real picture of South Africa-Nigeria relations needs more than just a flattering filter.

To date, trade between South Africa and Nigeria has been lacklustre. In 2022, Nigerian exports to South Africa averaged $2.2-billion, while South African trade with Nigeria is significantly less at approximately $520-million. Crude petroleum and propylene polymers make up the lion’s share of trade between the two countries. Yet there are other untapped trade opportunities in the agriculture, food and energy sectors that can improve trade dynamics and put the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to the test.

Finally, South African and Nigerian business hegemons must be called upon to bolster cross-country and public-private partnerships. Private sector support is integral to realising the true potential of Africa. 

By working together and utilising their strengths and resources, African exemplars like Patrice Motsepe and Aliko Dangote can drive industry and sector development. This type of collaboration will have a spillover effect on medium and small enterprises. 

The private sector’s investment in infrastructure, energy projects, health and education initiatives will have a dual impact by boosting Agenda 2063 and improving investor sentiment all around. It is nonsensical to hope for foreign direct investment without stimulating investment in Africa from Africans. If we can’t back ourselves, then who will? 

The AU, AfCFTA and Agenda 2063, together with the UN Sustainable Development Goals are hearty initiatives for the continent to digest. A smaller, bite-sized approach may be more useful in the short term. The 21st century is no stranger to fraternising in blocs. Cross-country cooperation is a good place to start.

In contemporary strategy, savvy diplomacy plays a fundamental role. From sports, arts and culture to philanthropy, diplomacy and African investment, there is an abundance of resources in and between South Africa and Nigeria.

Amid uncertain futures and economic despair, a diplomatic love affair between Africa’s two giants will set a strong precedent for the rise of Africa.

Perhaps it’s time to bury the beef? DM