The 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) commenced on Monday with preparatory talks at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town. The high-level meeting was co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations, Dr. Roland Lamola.

The discussions set the stage for Tuesday’s main session, where Presidents Bola Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa will lead deliberations on deepening bilateral cooperation.

Monday’s session reviewed progress on existing joint projects and finalized agreements to be presented during the presidential talks. The agenda covered critical areas of mutual interest, including trade, migration, security, energy, banking, manufacturing, and social development programs.

Nigeria’s delegation featured a robust team of ministers overseeing key sectors, including defence, trade, women’s affairs, agriculture, and digital economy, alongside the country’s head of Immigration. They joined South African officials to explore opportunities to strengthen ties between Africa’s two largest economies.

This year’s Bi-National Commission holds particular significance, marking 25 years of partnership between Nigeria and South Africa. Both nations play pivotal roles in shaping the continent’s political and economic landscape, and the BNC serves as a vital platform to address shared challenges and advance strategic collaboration.

The commission’s outcomes are expected to focus on enhancing trade relations, addressing migration concerns, boosting regional security, and fostering sustainable development in both countries. As the continent’s economic powerhouses, Nigeria and South Africa aim to leverage this partnership to drive broader African integration and growth.

The final agreements and resolutions from this year’s commission will be unveiled following Tuesday’s presidential meeting.