Nigeria, Southern African Envoys Seek Stronger Trade, Investment Partnership
Oluwatobi Adu 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiy and Zimbabwe’s envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Maxwell Ranga
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria and member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation, with renewed emphasis on trade, investment and regional development.
The commitment emerged on Wednesday when the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, received Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing SADC member countries accredited to Nigeria in Abuja.
The delegation was led by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Maxwell Ranga, who also serves as Dean of the SADC diplomatic corps in the country.
Ranga congratulated Enikanolaiye on his appointment and expressed confidence that his diplomatic experience would further strengthen relations between Nigeria and Southern African countries.
He identified trade, investment, agriculture, energy, industrialisation and infrastructure development as priority areas for deeper collaboration, noting that growing people-to-people exchanges were already strengthening ties between Nigeria and the region.
The Zimbabwean envoy also recalled Nigeria’s historical support for Southern African liberation movements during the struggle against colonial rule and apartheid, describing the longstanding relationship as a strong foundation for future cooperation.
Responding, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral and regional partnerships in line with the country’s foreign policy objectives.
He said Nigeria would continue to work closely with Southern African countries to promote economic integration, regional stability and continental development.
The discussions also highlighted opportunities for increased collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with both sides expressing optimism that stronger partnerships would translate into greater trade and investment across Africa.
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