Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to embark on a critical diplomatic mission to Cape Town, South Africa, where he will co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) with his counterpart, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The BNC meeting, a biennial platform for bilateral cooperation, underscores the importance of collaboration between two of Africa’s largest economies. It is scheduled to begin with a ministerial meeting on December 2, culminating in the presidential session on December 3.
The agenda includes discussions on trade and investment, defense and security, energy cooperation, and social development, among others. Eight working groups will review progress since the last BNC session in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria. The leaders will also sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen existing agreements and explore new areas of partnership
This meeting builds on the progress made in June 2024 when the two presidents met shortly after Ramaphosa’s inauguration for a second term. Both nations aim to address challenges such as regional instability, economic diversification, and enhancing intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The outcome is expected to reinforce the longstanding partnership established in 1999, further promoting development across Africa.