The 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) kicked off on Monday with a ministerial meeting at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.
The meeting, co-chaired by Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Roland Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, sets the stage for Tuesday’s presidential BNC.
The ministerial meeting provides a platform for both countries to review progress in bilateral cooperation across various sectors and finalize agreements to be presented during the presidential BNC.
According to the NBS Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics for Q2 2024, Nigeria exported goods worth about N1.48 trillion to South Africa during the half-year, while making exports worth about N252.9 billion during the period.
In 2023, South Africa was Nigeria’s largest trading partner, with a trade volume worth about N1.59 trillion, driven by N1.3 trillion in exports and N291 billion in imports.
Key areas under discussion include trade and investment, political consultations, consular and migration matters, defence and security cooperation, and collaboration in banking, energy, manufacturing, and the social sector.
Nigeria’s delegation to the ministerial meeting includes ministers of state for defence, women affairs, industry, trade and investments, agriculture and food security, communication, innovation and digital economy, alongside the comptroller-general, Nigeria Immigration Service.
They were joined by their South African counterparts and senior government officials from both nations.
The 11th Bi-National Commission meeting marks the 25th anniversary of the framework, established to strengthen ties between Africa’s two leading economies.
The commission has played a crucial role in promoting bilateral cooperation and addressing common challenges facing both countries.
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to arrive in Cape Town on Monday in furtherance of his international engagements with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Both African leaders will jointly lead discussions during Tuesday’s presidential BNC.
The meeting is expected to build on the progress made during the ministerial meeting and consolidate agreements in key areas of cooperation.
The Bi-National Commission has been instrumental in fostering economic cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.
The two countries have made significant progress in areas such as trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
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