Tinubu to visit South Africa for Bi-National Commission meeting
By Kunle Sanni
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.
The presidential-level meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, will be preceded by a ministerial meeting on December 2 at the South African Parliament Building in Cape Town.
During the session, Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa will engage in discussions on a broad range of bilateral, regional, and international issues. These talks will build on the commitments made during their last meeting in Johannesburg on June 20, 2024, shortly after President Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term.
In addition, the leaders will assess the progress made since the 10th session of the BNC, held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021.
This year’s BNC will feature deliberations across eight working groups focusing on key areas, including political consultations, consular and migration issues, banking and finance, defence and security, manufacturing, the social sector, mining and energy, as well as trade and investments.
High-level officials from both countries are expected to sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements during the event.
Established in 1999, the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission aims to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The first session at the Heads of State level took place in October 2019 in Pretoria.
Over the years, the Commission has provided a platform for sustaining high-level dialogue and fostering cooperation in critical sectors such as diplomacy, trade, security, and economic development.
This year’s meeting holds special significance as it marks the 25th anniversary of the BNC, a milestone underscoring the enduring partnership between Nigeria and South Africa.
President Tinubu will lead a high-level delegation, including state governors, ministers, and senior government officials. He is expected to return to Nigeria following the conclusion of the BNC meeting.
