President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are set to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town. The high-profile meeting will follow a ministerial meeting scheduled for Monday, December 2, 2024.
According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Senior Adviser on Strategy and Information, the summit aims to strengthen bilateral ties between Africa’s two largest economies. Discussions will focus on a wide range of issues, including bilateral, regional, and international cooperation, as the leaders build on commitments made during their June 2024 meeting in Johannesburg, shortly after President Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term.
The 11th BNC session marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria-South Africa relations, coinciding with the Commission’s 25th anniversary. Established in 1999, the Bi-National Commission serves as a platform for high-level dialogue and cooperation in critical areas such as diplomacy, trade, security, and economic development.
Deliberations will span eight working groups focusing on; Political consultations, consular and migration issues, banking and Finance, defence and Security, manufacturing and Industry, social Development, mines and energy, and trade and Investments
During the session, officials from both countries will sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements, further solidifying their partnership.
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The leaders will review progress achieved since the 10th BNC session held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021. This includes evaluating key outcomes and setting new goals for the partnership, particularly in areas of mutual economic and strategic interest.
President Tinubu’s delegation will include state governors, ministers, and senior government officials, underlining the significance of this engagement for Nigeria’s foreign policy and economic strategy.
The BNC has been instrumental in fostering sustained collaboration between the two nations. The first Heads of State-level session was held in October 2019 in Pretoria, setting the stage for continued dialogue and partnerships.
As the 11th session approaches, both leaders are expected to reinforce their commitment to deepening ties, fostering mutual growth, and addressing regional challenges.
