From OKORO CHINEDU in Lagos, Nigeria
LAGOS – LAGOS and Gauteng Provinces, Nigeria’s and South Africa’s economic powerhouses respectively, are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at spurring growth of both regions.
The pact to be signed in Johannesburg in September is anticipated to eventually drive the desired industrial and economic growth in the African continent.
The plans of an MouU came out of a meeting between Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and his Gauteng counterpart, David Makhura, in Lagos.
Ambode said a bi-lateral relationship with Gauteng, was aimed at boosting the economic capacities of not just Nigeria and South Africa, but the continent of Africa.
“This will be a win-win situation that will grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that would be beneficial to the citizen of both countries,” Ambode said.
Makhura expressed optimism the partnership would enhance the industrial capacity of Nigeria and South Africa, the continent’s biggest economies.
“It is high time both Lagos and Gauteng rose to the challenge and utilised their strengths for the benefit of the continent.”
Nigeria and South Africa have been beset by frosty relations in recent years over a number of issues, most recently the violence against Nigerian nationals in the Southern African country.
– Guardian