Lagos, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hunta Corporate Solutions, Richard Daniels, has called for deeper collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa.
He argued that the future of Africa’s economic development will largely depend on how the continent’s two leading economies work together to address shared challenges and unlock emerging opportunities.
Speaking at a business breakfast meeting in Lagos, Daniels said Africa’s destiny cannot be shaped in isolation, stressing that Nigeria and South Africa must take the lead in driving policies, investments and innovations capable of accelerating growth across the continent.
“The future of Africa will not be decided in isolation. It will be shaped by how Nigeria and South Africa work together. The rest of Africa will look to us, look at how we shape our policies and procedures, and look at the opportunities we create”, he said.
According to him, while Africa faces significant challenges, including poverty, education deficits, protectionism, insecurity and governance concerns, these challenges also present opportunities for transformation and long-term growth.
Daniels identified poverty as one of the continent’s most pressing issues, noting that economic hardship often limits people’s ability to plan for the future and participate meaningfully in national development.
“When people are focused only on survival, it becomes difficult to think beyond today. Poverty affects every aspect of society, including governance, elections and economic participation,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for education systems that prioritize practical skills and real-world competencies rather than simply promoting students through academic levels without adequate preparation.
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“We need education that equips young people to execute in the real world. The future of our economies depends on how well we prepare the next generation,” Daniels stated.
Addressing issues surrounding protectionism and xenophobia, he argued that economic insecurity often drives societies to become inward-looking, limiting opportunities for broader regional integration and cooperation.
However, he expressed optimism about Africa’s prospects, saying global economic shifts are forcing countries to rethink how they produce food, generate energy, build industries and strengthen regional value chains.
“The future looks bright if we harness the opportunities that we have. The world is changing, and that change is forcing us to focus on becoming more self-sufficient in food, energy and manufacturing,” he said.
Daniels highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing between Nigeria and South Africa, noting that successful policies, technologies and business models developed in either country could be replicated across the continent.
He also called for stronger private sector engagement, arguing that business-to-business collaboration remains one of the most effective ways to drive economic integration.
While praising forums that bring stakeholders together, Daniels stressed the need for platforms that help companies identify market opportunities, forge partnerships and access information about demand across African markets.
“There are many businesses with innovative ideas and technologies, but they need better access to information and networks that connect them with opportunities in other countries,” he said.
The Hunta Corporate Solutions chief described Africa’s youthful population as one of its greatest competitive advantages and urged governments and businesses to create opportunities that inspire confidence among young entrepreneurs and innovators.
“Africa is the youngest continent in the world. If we fail to engage our youth and give them hope for the future, we will miss one of the biggest opportunities available to us,” he said.
Daniels further encouraged Nigeria and South Africa to position themselves as strategic anchors of African economic growth, providing leadership and serving as examples for other countries across the continent.
He pointed to opportunities presented by BRICS partnerships, technological collaboration and international investment relationships as areas where African economies could accelerate development and benefit from knowledge transfer.
Beyond traditional sectors, he identified entertainment, sports, tourism and other creative industries as powerful engines of growth capable of generating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening Africa’s global influence.
On energy, Daniels argued that the continent should focus on diversification rather than abandoning existing energy resources.
“We should not think of energy transition as replacing one source with another. It is about energy diversification. Africa has abundant fossil fuel resources, but we can complement them with solar, wind and hydro solutions,” he said.
He concluded by emphasising the importance of security, good governance and the ease of movement of people and businesses across borders, describing them as essential foundations for attracting investment and driving sustainable development.
According to Daniels, tackling these barriers would unlock enormous opportunities for trade, innovation and regional prosperity.
“If we can address security concerns and improve ease of movement, it will open up countless opportunities for businesses, investors and citizens across Africa,” he said.
As Africa seeks to strengthen intra-continental trade and deepen economic integration, Daniels’ message underscored a growing consensus among business leaders: the continent’s future prosperity will depend not only on national reforms but also on the ability of its largest economies to collaborate, innovate and lead together.
