This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
On September 4, 2019, Nigeria announced its decision to boycott the World Economic Forum hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, due to a surge in anti-migrant attacks in the country.
The move came as South Africa and Nigeria strengthened security measures after deadly attacks on foreign-owned stores in Johannesburg, which triggered reprisal assaults on South African businesses in Nigerian cities.
"Nigerian government has boycotted the World Economic Forum being held in Cape Town, South Africa," said Bashir Ahmad, an advisor to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Twitter, although he noted that some individuals would attend independently.
Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had been expected to attend the annual summit of leaders and business figures but cancelled his trip a day after Africa's most populous country summoned the South African ambassador for talks.
Police in Nigeria strengthened security around South African businesses after apparent reprisal attacks in several cities against stores operated by the supermarket chain Shoprite, the telecoms giant MTN, and other firms.
However, in the capital Abuja, scores of demonstrators clashed with police outside a shopping mall that has a Shoprite store.
