Dare Babalola
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has condemned the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa, warning the Nigerian government against retaliatory actions that could damage bilateral relations and investor confidence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr Muda Yusuf, described the attacks as disturbing, particularly as many Nigerians were reportedly among the victims.
“Recent incidents of xenophobic attacks in South Africa are deeply troubling, especially as many Nigerian migrants have reportedly been among the victims,” Yusuf said.
He lamented that some South Africans continued to target fellow Africans despite the continent’s shared history and aspirations.
“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,” he added.
Yusuf said the violence appeared to be driven largely by worsening economic and social conditions in South Africa, including unemployment, poverty, inequality, weak public services, and youth frustration.
According to him, many perpetrators were frustrated citizens who had wrongly directed their anger at innocent migrants perceived to be economically successful.
He noted that Nigerians seemed 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,” he said.
The CPPE boss also faulted lapses in policing and intelligence, stressing that the South African government had a duty to protect all residents within its borders.
“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,” he stated.
He called for stronger policing, better intelligence gathering, prompt prosecution of offenders, and firm political condemnation of anti-migrant rhetoric.
Yusuf, however, cautioned Nigeria against extreme responses such as targeting South African businesses operating in the country.
“Retaliatory action is neither advisable nor strategic,” he said.
He added that proposals such as revoking licences of South African firms, nationalising assets, or restricting investments would be “inappropriate, disproportionate, and counterproductive.”
According to him, such actions could undermine investor confidence, weaken economic ties, and harm the broader goal of African economic integration.
The economist noted that South African firms had contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economy through employment generation, improved services, tax revenues, and consumer benefits.
“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, and contributed significantly to government revenues,” Yusuf said.
He warned that disrupting those investments would hurt Nigerian workers, suppliers, service providers, and consumers who depend on them.
Yusuf urged the Nigerian government to pursue diplomatic engagement with South African authorities to secure the safety of Nigerians abroad while preserving mutually beneficial economic ties.
He also called on South Africa to tackle the structural causes of the unrest, including unemployment, inequality, weak service delivery, and institutional failures.
“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 said.
