By Theresa Moses
The Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, NSACC has called on businesses in both countries to move beyond conventional trade relationships and deepen partnerships that promote local content, skills development, technology transfer and sustainable economic growth.
The call was made on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Chamber’s August Breakfast Meeting held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme, “Building Local Content Together: 25 Years of Shared Growth.”
The meeting, sponsored by MTN Nigeria as part of activities marking its 25 years of operations in Nigeria, brought together business leaders, diplomats, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to examine the role of local businesses and multinational companies in driving economic development.
Delivering the welcome address, Chairman of the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Ije Jidenma, congratulated MTN Nigeria on its 25-year journey, describing the milestone as a reflection of investment, innovation, connectivity and contribution to Nigeria’s digital economy.
Jidenma said MTN Nigeria had demonstrated the potential of local content to extend beyond Nigerian participation in the development of indigenous capacity, local supply chains, employment and technology transfer.
She noted that 99.85 per cent of MTN Nigeria’s workforce is Nigerian, while the company has stated that its activities through trade partners and agents have contributed to the creation of more than two million direct and indirect jobs.
According to her, these figures demonstrate how large businesses can contribute to strengthening the wider ecosystem of Nigerian enterprises.
“At the end of the day, it is about building a sustainable Nigerian capacity; developing talent, strengthening local businesses, transferring knowledge and technology, expanding local supply chains and creating meaningful employment opportunities,” she said.
The Chamber chairman also highlighted the contribution of the MTN Foundation, which was established four years after the company commenced operations in Nigeria.
She said the Foundation had invested more than ₦34.4 billion in initiatives spanning education, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, healthcare and community infrastructure, with projects implemented across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Jidenma urged members of the Chamber and other business leaders to adopt a broader approach to business that combines profitability with nation-building, sustainability and shared prosperity.
She challenged businesses to consider how they could create more opportunities for Nigerian enterprises, strengthen local supply chains, accelerate skills and technology transfer, and support the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
Nigeria-South Africa relations
The meeting also provided an opportunity to reflect on the current challenges affecting relations between Nigeria and South Africa, particularly concerns around migration and the treatment of Nigerians living in South Africa.
Jidenma expressed concern over the situation, noting that the business community has a role to play in working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen relations between the two countries.
She disclosed that since June 10, 2026, the Federal Government had brought back 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa through five arranged commercial flights, describing the development as an issue that required constructive engagement.
She stressed that Nigeria and South Africa, as two of Africa’s leading economies, could achieve more through collaboration.
“Together, we win,” she said, urging stakeholders to focus on partnerships capable of producing tangible economic opportunities across the continent.
The Chamber chairman further encouraged participants to use the meeting to network, identify opportunities, forge durable partnerships and develop practical actions capable of strengthening local content.
Looking ahead, Jidenma said the next 25 years would be shaped by digital technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, entrepreneurship and new forms of economic collaboration.
She called for an Africa that would not merely serve as a market for global innovation but increasingly become a creator and owner of innovation.
The breakfast meeting featured Mr Modupe Kadiri, Chief Financial Officer of MTN Nigeria, as the keynote speaker, with Ms Elizabeth Musa, Programme Lead and Anchor at BusinessDay, serving as moderator.
The panel comprised Mr Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director, SO&U; Mrs Yemi Chukwura, CEO, Seams & Stitches; Mr Ayeni Adekunle, CEO, BlackHouse Media; and Mr Afolabi Sobande, Group COO, Computer Warehouse Group.
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