Yemisi Izuora
The Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has launched a campaign against any form of reprisal in the face of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Though the Center notes with concern the incidents of the attacks especially as many Nigerian migrants have reportedly been among the victims.
Commenting on the incident, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Center, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said, “It is regrettable that some South Africans continue to target fellow Africans despite our shared history, common identity, and collective aspirations as a continent. Africans ought to see themselves as brothers and partners in development. What is unfolding in parts of South Africa, sadly, contradicts the spirit of African solidarity and Pan-African cooperation.”
However, Yusuf, called on the Nigerian government to strengthen bilateral engagements with South African authorities to ensure the safety and protection of Nigerians in that country.
At the same time, he urged South Africa authorities to address the deeper structural issues driving these tensions, particularly unemployment, inequality, weak service delivery, and institutional weaknesses. Ultimately, the priority should be the protection of lives, strict enforcement of the rule of law, and preservation of African solidarity and economic cooperation.
He noted that from all indications, the underlying drivers of these attacks are largely economic and social.
“High unemployment, deepening poverty, youth frustration, widening inequality, weak public service delivery, and broader governance challenges appear to be fuelling resentment against migrants. Many of the perpetrators are frustrated citizens who wrongly channel their anger towards innocent African migrants, particularly those perceived to be relatively successful in retail trade, informal businesses, and service-oriented activities.” he said.
According to him, Nigerians appear particularly vulnerable because of their strong entrepreneurial presence in South Africa’s informal economy. Nigerian traders, professionals, and service providers are generally resilient, competitive, and economically active.
Unfortunately, this has created resentment among some locals who wrongly believe that migrants are taking over economic opportunities and jobs. This perception is clearly misguided, but it has nonetheless contributed to the targeting of Nigerians and other African migrants.
The attacks also underscore weaknesses in policing, intelligence gathering, and law enforcement.
The South African government has an obligation to protect the lives and property of all persons residing within its territory, including Nigerians and other African migrants. Stronger policing, improved intelligence, prompt prosecution of offenders, and firm political messaging against anti-migrant rhetoric are critical to preventing a recurrence of these violent incidents.
For Nigeria, retaliatory action is neither advisable nor strategic.
The incidents in South Africa are not reflective of official South African government policy; rather, they are acts of criminality perpetrated by non-state actors driven largely by socio-economic frustrations. These criminal acts should not be tolerated, and the South African authorities must demonstrate unequivocally that such conduct will not be condoned under any circumstance.
However, extreme responses by the Nigerian government [as proposed by some members of the national assembly], such as targeting South African investments in Nigeria, revoking operating licenses of South African firms, or nationalising South African-owned assets would be inappropriate, disproportionate, and counterproductive. Such measures could damage longstanding bilateral relations, weaken investors confidence, and undermine the broader objective of African economic integration.
“The Centre strongly advises against any such course of action.
“It is important to recognise that South African investments have delivered—and continue to deliver—substantial value to the Nigerian economy. Major South African companies such as MTN Group, Shoprite Holdings, MultiChoice Group, and Standard Bank Group have created thousands of quality jobs, deepened service delivery across critical sectors, enhanced financial inclusion, contributed significantly to government revenues, and improved consumer welfare in Nigeria.” he said.
Disrupting these investments would not only hurt the affected companies but would also adversely impact Nigerian workers, suppliers, service providers, and consumers who depend on these businesses.
The appropriate response, therefore, should be constructive engagement—intensifying diplomatic efforts with South African authorities to ensure the protection of Nigerians and other African migrants while preserving the integrity of mutually beneficial economic relations.