President Tinubu heads to South Africa for high-level Nigeria-South Africa commission meeting

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 issued Sunday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the high-level BNC meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the South African Parliament Building. A preparatory ministerial meeting is scheduled for December 2, 2024.

Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa will engage in discussions on bilateral, regional, and international matters of shared interest during the BNC session. The leaders are also expected to review progress since the 10th BNC session, which was held in Abuja from November 29 to December 1, 2021.

Discussions during the 11th session will be structured around eight working groups covering areas such as political consultations, consular and migration issues, banking and finance, defense and security, manufacturing, the social sector, mines and energy, and trade and investments.

Officials from both nations will also sign multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to bolster cooperation.

Established in 1999, the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission aims to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen collaboration across a variety of sectors.

President Tinubu’s international engagements have seen him visit 17 countries and