The Roundtable brought together senior government officials, diplomats, and private sector leaders to strengthen bilateral relations and advance shared priorities with a strong focus on translating dialogue into actionable economic outcomes.

Bilateral trade between Nigeria and South Africa is strengthening, with total volume reaching over USD$ 2.16 billion in early 2026, driven heavily by Nigerian crude oil exports to South Africa.

In her welcome address, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, the chief marketing officer of MTN Nigeria, speaking on behalf of Dr. Karl Toriola, the chief executive officer, described the Roundtable as central to Africa’s economic future.

“The Economic Diplomacy Roundtable is not just a corporate event; it reflects the essence of our purpose on the continent and the systems we must build to enable Africa’s growth. Partnerships between Nigeria and South Africa must move beyond dialogue to building infrastructure, payment systems, and digital platforms that make trade and investment seamless,” she said.

Nompilo Morafo, group chief sustainability and corporate affairs officer, said the company 30-year presence across Africa has provided valuable insights into the continent’s economic realities and opportunities, explaining that Nigeria and South Africa together account for nearly half of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP, making their partnership essential to the success of the AfCFTA.

“When these economies trade freely, the AfCFTA becomes real. When payment systems between Lagos and Johannesburg work, financial inclusion accelerates across the continent,” she added. “Our true calling is not just to provide digital and financial services, but to enable dignity, hope, and opportunity for millions of Africans,” Morafo said.

Highlighting Lagos State’s economic significance, Folashade Ambrose‑Medebem, the commissioner for Trade and Investment, represented by Adeyemi Adeyinka, noted that Lagos accounts for about 30 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and attracted approximately ₦4.1 trillion in investments and $1.2 billion in digital infrastructure in 2023.

Emphasising the importance of stronger bilateral cooperation, he said:

“Lagos remains open to partnerships that drive trade, investment, and innovation, as we continue to position the state as a leading economic hub in Africa.”

Aisha Rimi, the executive secretary and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), underscored ongoing efforts to create a stable and enabling environment for investors.

She stated:

“Nigeria remains committed to creating a stable and enabling environment that attracts investment, strengthens investor confidence, and supports sustainable economic growth. Our focus is to ensure that investors not only come into Nigeria but are able to grow, scale, and connect across African markets.”

From the South African perspective, Kgothatso Xulu, the acting consul general of South Africa in Lagos, highlighted the scale of opportunity between both countries and stressed the importance of collaboration in expanding intra-African trade.

She said:

“There is a significant opportunity to expand intra-African trade, and partnerships like this are critical to removing barriers and strengthening economic integration. Nigeria and South Africa have a responsibility to lead by example in building stronger, more connected African economies.”

Reinforcing the need for concrete outcomes, Calvin Phume, director for Africa Bilateral Economic Relations at South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, emphasised the enduring significance of the Nigeria–South Africa partnership.

“The South Africa–Nigeria partnership is of enduring political and economic significance, not only to our two countries but to the African continent. The focus now must be on implementation, turning policy commitments into real trade, investment, and infrastructure outcomes.”

Discussions at the Roundtable highlighted progress under the AfCFTA, ongoing policy reforms, and the urgent need to strengthen infrastructure systems, improve trade corridors, and address barriers affecting cross-border business.

Stakeholders agreed that stronger collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa will be critical to unlocking industrial growth, investment flows, and regional value chains, while committing to translating discussions into actionable outcomes that support Africa’s economic integration agenda.

In his welcome address, Jumia Nigeria CEO Sunil Natraj thanked various partners, suppliers, advertisers, and most importantly, the people of Nigeria for their support and confidence in Jumia. He highlighted Nigeria’s prospects and called it Jumia’s “home” and “master bedroom.”

Natraj explained that Jumia’s investments focus on supply chain to make it faster, more nimble, and proactive. The new warehouse, spanning over 30,000 square meters with 17,000 square meters of covered storage in Isolo, Lagos,  will enable Jumia to scale up operations and attend to every Nigerian with a wider choice of affordable products nationwide. 

“The launch of our integrated warehouse marks a key moment for Jumia Nigeria. By consolidating our operations under one roof, we are not only streamlining our fulfilment processes but also laying the groundwork for significant improvements in efficiency, scalability, and cost reduction. This will allow us to offer a wider product variety and, most importantly, deliver them to our consumers faster than ever before,” said Sunil Natraj, CEO of Jumia Nigeria.

Representing the Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, commended Jumia’s journey and impact on Nigeria’s e-commerce industry, reiterating Lagos’ zeal to supporting businesses and growth. 

“Jumia’s journey in Nigeria has been nothing short of extraordinary. From simple beginnings, it has grown into a leading e-commerce company revolutionizing the way we shop and do business. This new warehouse with its cutting-edge technology and vast capacity will significantly enhance Jumia’s ability to serve its customers efficiently. 

Meeting the ever-growing demands of the e-commerce sector, it is a bold economic step forward in ensuring that goods can be delivered faster, more reliably and at a lower cost. We are proud to support initiatives such as these that drive economic growth and provide employment opportunities for our people. This warehouse will create numerous jobs and provide skill development opportunities, further strengthening our local workforce.”

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Natraj reiterated Jumia’s mission to provide Nigerians with affordable, original products with no hidden charges. He assured of Jumia’s rigorous supplier screening process.

Natraj affirmed Jumia welcomes competition as it brings more credibility and allows consumers to compare and choose best options. With its investments in supply chain and expansion plans, Jumia has the capacity and scale to meet the demands of Nigeria’s thriving e-commerce sector. 

The facility will enhance Jumia’s supply chain capabilities, allowing for faster deliveries across Nigeria as well as the ability to rapidly scale operations and service more consumers nationwide. This eliminates the need for first-mile transportation between multiple warehouses and sorting centres, resulting in a huge reduction in carbon emissions.

As Jumia Nigeria CEO Sunil Raj explained, Jumia has enhanced shopping in Nigeria by directly connecting brand owners and consumers. This provides choices for those in remote areas who previously lacked options when shopping online. 

The investments in supply chain through the new warehouse will help Jumia solidify this role and live up to its mission of being Nigeria’s preferred online shopping destination.

“We are excited to provide our dedicated supply chain team with a modern and improved working environment. The new facility’s central location in Isolo Offers convenient access for our staff and streamlines the logistics processes. Additionally, the integration of various services will empower us to optimize fulfilment and reduce our environmental impact through minimized transportation requirements,” said Richmond Otu, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Jumia Nigeria.

Jumia also maintains good standards, projecting increased job opportunities between 400-600, giving customers assurance about the quality and originality of products sold on the platform.