The Nigerian government has commenced a voluntary evacuation of its citizens from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic attacks that have killed at least five people and displaced hundreds. The violence, concentrated in Johannesburg and Pretoria, has targeted foreign-owned businesses and residences, raising fears of a broader destabilisation of economic ties between Africa’s two largest economies.
In a statement released late Tuesday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Air Peace, a Nigerian carrier, had been authorised to operate evacuation flights from Johannesburg. The first flight, carrying 320 passengers, departed O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday morning. Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Kabiru Bala, said the mission was liaising with South African authorities to ensure safe passage for those wishing to leave.
The unrest began last week after a protest in Pretoria over unemployment and crime turned violent, with mobs looting and burning shops owned by African immigrants. The targeting of Nigerian nationals has been particularly pronounced. At least 10 Nigerian-owned stores have been destroyed, according to the Nigerian Union in South Africa. The attacks have drawn condemnation from across the continent, with Ghana and Ethiopia also issuing travel advisories.
For Nigeria, the crisis threatens to disrupt a relationship that underpins much of West Africa’s trade with the southern part of the continent. Bilateral trade between Nigeria and South Africa stood at $3.8 billion in 2023, with Nigerian crude oil exports to South Africa accounting for a significant portion. South African firms, including MTN and Standard Bank, hold substantial investments in Nigeria. Any sustained deterioration in bilateral relations could jeopardise these flows.
The violence also risks undermining the broader African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade. The AfCFTA, launched in 2021, relies on the free movement of goods and people. Repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa, a key economy, erode the trust necessary for deeper integration.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the attacks and deployed additional police to the affected areas. However, critics argue that his government has failed to address the underlying economic grievances that fuel anti-migrant sentiment. South Africa’s unemployment rate stands at 33%, one of the highest in the world, and many citizens blame foreign nationals for taking jobs and straining public services.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who is attending the UN General Assembly in New York, called for calm and urged South African authorities to protect the lives and property of all residents. He emphasised that the evacuation was a precautionary measure and not a severing of diplomatic relations.
The evacuation operation comes amid a period of heightened tension in Anglo-African relations. Last month, Nigeria expelled a South African diplomat in a retaliatory move over alleged harassment of Nigerian officials. The current crisis could further strain efforts to maintain a united front on trade negotiations with Europe and the United States.
For now, the immediate priority for both governments is to prevent further loss of life and restore order. But the deeper challenge remains: how to reconcile the promise of open borders with the reality of domestic discontent. As the evacuation flights continue, the question hangs over the future of African solidarity.
