Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma starts his two-day visit to the West African powerhouse, Nigeria, today.
This is President Zuma’s first state visit to Nigeria since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari in May last year.
President Zuma will be looking to improve economic and political ties when he meets his Nigerian counterpart. Key events during the visit, according to the Presidency, is President Zuma’s address at the Joint Session of the National Assembly of Nigeria. He will also address the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with President Buhari.
Pretoria and the oil and gas rich Nigeria have good bilateral political, economic and social relations underpinned by strong historical ties dating to the years of the liberation struggle.
“With its large population and vast natural resources, Nigeria is South Africa’s key trading partner on the continent, providing significant opportunities for its exports and investments and is ranked seventh in terms of South Africa’s total trade in Africa,” the Presidency said.
The two countries conduct their bilateral relations through a structured Bi-National Commission (BNC) established in 1999 and have signed 34 bilateral agreements, including memoranda of understanding.
The BNC covers a broad range of areas, including trade and investment, science and technology, immigration and consular matters, defence, agriculture, the environment, energy, as well as arts and culture.
To date, there are over 120 South African companies doing business in Nigeria in various sectors, including telecommunications, aviation, tourism, banking, property, retail, entertainment and the fast food industry.
President Zuma is accompanied by a high level business delegation, the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Trade and Industry, Rob Davies; Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba; Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Mineral Resources, Mosebenzi Zwane. – SAnews.gov.za
