President Bola Tinubu will depart France on Monday for Cape Town, South Africa, where he will co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The session, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2, 2024, at the South African Parliament Building.
According to a press release issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga, the two leaders will hold extensive discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including bilateral, regional, and international matters.
The session will also review the progress made since the 10th BNC meeting held in Abuja in November 2021, and build on commitments made during their previous meeting in Johannesburg in June 2024, shortly after President Ramaphosa’s re-election.
The 11th session will feature deliberations in eight key areas, including political consultations, consular and migration issues, banking and finance, defense and security, manufacturing, social sector development, mining and energy, and trade and investments.
Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements are expected to be signed by both countries during the high-level meeting.
Established in 1999, the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission has been instrumental in strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The first session at the Heads of State level was held in October 2019 in Pretoria.
This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, highlighting the enduring partnership between Nigeria and South Africa.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level Nigerian delegation, including state governors, ministers, and senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the BNC sessions.
