Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to host 10th Anniversary Celebrations of the SA-Nigeria BNC, 26-29 October 2009

Pretoria: Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe of the Republic of South Africa will jointly host a series of activities in South Africa with his counterpart, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as part of the 10th Year Anniversary Celebrations of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC), from 26 – 29 October 2009 in South Africa and 12-14 November in Nigeria.

The planned BNC activities are premised within the broader framework of promoting trade and investment in the African continent as well as enhancing people to people cooperation and institution building between South Africa and Nigeria. With regard to trade, exports and imports flows between South Africa and Nigeria registered substantial growth over the period 1999 to 2007, from R181 3578 000 to almost R11 billion in 2007. This increase in growth can be attributed to an increase in the demand for energy resources in South Africa; hence 98% of imports from Nigeria are crude oil. Most notably is the fact that, prior to 1999, there were only four South African companies in Nigeria. Since 1999, the situation has changed dramatically, with over 100 companies currently doing business in Nigeria.

Activities to commemorate the 10th Year Anniversary of the South Africa-Nigeria BNC will include amongst others the Business Round Table; Academic activities; Trade Fair; Sporting Activities; Arts and Culture; Fashion Week; Civil Society Seminars; Gala Dinner; Joint Parliamentary activities and a Women and Youth Forum.

The theme of the celebrations is “South Africa – Nigeria Bi-National Commission: Celebrating 10 Year Anniversary, and is aimed at highlighting and projecting the noble objectives of this milestone. The BNC activities will be co-hosted by South Africa and Nigeria in both capitals. South Africa will host its 10th Anniversary Celebrations from 26-29 October 2009 and Nigeria to host its 10th Anniversary Celebrations from 12-14 November 2009 ahead of the third session of the Review Council meeting, scheduled for 14-15 November in Abuja, Nigeria.

During the First Review Council meeting between the former Deputy President of South Africa, Ms Baleka Mbete and Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in Pretoria on 9 December 2008 an agreement was reached that South Africa and Nigeria would mark and celebrate this milestone (10 years) of the BNC, with a view to further consolidate the already strong bilateral relations that exist between South Africa and Nigeria.

The BNC was borne out of a commitment by South Africa and Nigeria to effectively structure bilateral relations through the establishment of a Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Nigeria, the inaugural session of which was held in Abuja from 4 to 5 October 1999 under the co-chairmanship of the Former Deputy and Vice Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria, respectively.

Calender of Events of teh 10th year Anniversary Celebration of the South Africa- Nigeria Bi-National Commision (BNC)

For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x152
Pretoria, 0001

22 October 2009