Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka to Co-Chair 7th South Africa – Nigeria Binational Commission

Abuja – South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, supported by Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe, will today Friday 23 May 2008 co-chair, together with her Nigerian counterpart Vice President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the 7th session of the South Africa – Nigeria Bi- National Commission (BNC) in Abuja, Nigeria.

Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will lead the South African delegation to the South Africa – Nigeria BNC within the context of South Africa’s priority to consolidate and strengthen bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Nigeria with a view to fastrack the African developmental agenda.

The 7th session of the South Africa – Nigeria BNC is expected to review the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries particularly since the 6th session of the South Africa – Nigeria BNC held in South Africa in 2004.

The BNC will also review co-operation between the two countries in the following Working Groups:

• Foreign Affairs and Cooperation;
• Public Enterprises and Infrastructure;
• Agriculture, Water Resources and Environment;
• Minerals and Energy;
• Social and Technical; and
• Trade, Industry and Finance.

The 7th session of the South Africa – Nigeria BNC will lay the basis for the State  Visit to South Africa by Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in June this year.

Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is scheduled to return to South Africa on Saturday 24 May 2008.                                  

Economic Bilateral Relations

South Africa emerged among the top investors in many sectors of the Nigerian economy. 

Since 1999, South African companies’ presence is visible in the Nigerian economy, especially in areas such as telecommunication, engineering, banking, retail, hospitality, property development, construction and tourism, to mention a few.

Trade between South Africa And Nigeria

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

23 May 2008