President Bola Tinubu is set to 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 President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser, the BNC meeting is scheduled for December 3 and will be preceded by a ministerial session on December 2 at the South African Parliament in Cape Town.
This yearâs session is particularly significant as it marks the 25th anniversary of the commission, highlighting the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa.
âPresident Tinubu and President Ramaphosa will engage in substantive discussions on a wide range of issues, including bilateral, regional, and international matters,â the statement said.
The two leaders will also review progress since the 10th BNC session held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021, building on commitments made during their June 20, 2024, meeting in Johannesburg following President Ramaphosaâs re-election.
The 11th BNC session will include discussions across eight working groups, each addressing areas of mutual interest such as political consultations, consular and migration issues, banking and finance, defense and security, manufacturing, social sector development, mining and energy, and trade and investments.
Established in 1999, the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission aims to strengthen ties between the two nations. Its first session at the Heads of State level took place in October 2019 in Pretoria. The commission provides a platform for fostering high-level dialogue and cooperation in diplomacy, trade, security, and other critical sectors.
During the session, officials from both countries will sign several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including state governors, ministers, and senior government officials, and will return to Nigeria after the meeting.
