By Stellamaris Ashinze and Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Oct. 23, 2025
MTN Nigeria on Thursday called on government and business leaders from Nigeria and South Africa to lay more emphasis on effective execution of people-oriented and economy-growing policies.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola, made the call at a Nigeria-South Africa Economic Diplomacy Roundtable in Lagos on Thursday.
Toriola said the collective economic weight of the two nations was enormous and should be used to accelerate Africa’s development.
He proposed a three-point agenda to accelerate Africa’s economic growth.
He said that the first would be activation of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) beyond paper work.
Toriola highlighted the need to standardise customs processes, harmonise trade and implement digital documentation.
“When rules match, trade moves,” he said, emphasising that simplified regulation was key to unlocking the pact’s potential.
‘’The second priority focused on the establishment of trusted rails to secure and facilitate digital commerce.
‘’The foundational elements include: robust digital identity systems, fast-clearing payment systems for cross-border transactions,’’ he said.
Toriola affirmed MTN’s commitment to providing reliable networks and securing platforms and scalable partnerships that would allow small and medium-sized enterprises, creators and families to transact with confidence.
He said that creating predictability for investors was necessary to attract and retain capital.
According to him, predictability is a growth strategy for jobs and revenue, and positions regulatory clarity as an economic imperative.
He said that MTN Nigeria would support efforts by hosting technical sessions, providing digital infrastructure, and committing to report back on progress.
”Lagos is a city that builds, Johannesburg is a city that scales.
‘’Let us connect those strengths now,” he said.
In his keynote address entitled “Strategic Imperative: Reclaiming Nigeria and South Africa Voice”, a South African diplomat, Thembinkosi Gcoyi, urged the two African countries to rebuild their economies through industrial diversification and energy security.
Gcoyi is also the Managing Director, and Co-founder of Frontline Africa Consulting.
He said that South Africa and Nigeria would need to adopt ground-up economic strategies and a people-centred development approach.
He also urged collaborations and leveraging of resources.
“Strengthen governance and restore policy credibility.
“Adopt coordinated economic and diplomatic strategies in trade, technology transfer,” he said.
He said that policies must balance political intent with business realities.
