BREAKING: Tinubu To Meet Powerful President For Business-To-Business Interaction (DETAILS)

BREAKING: Tinubu To Meet Powerful President For Business-To-Business Interaction (DETAILS)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa in November for a business-to-business interaction aimed at further strengthening the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.

The Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Mallam Muhammad Haruna Manta, made this announcement on Saturday during a visit to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Manta spoke during a working visit by the second MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP-2) fellows from Nigeria, who are currently in South Africa for a training program sponsored by MTN Nigeria in collaboration with the Pan Atlantic University (PAU) in Lagos.

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Manta pointed out that the meeting is under the auspices of the Bi-National Commission established in 1999 to bolster trade and bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

He mentioned that President Tinubu will discuss business matters affecting both countries, including visa permits for Nigerians traveling to South Africa.

“The Nigeria-South Africa relationship was cordial under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, which led to the formation of the Bi-National Commission between both countries in 1999,” Manta said.

He noted, however, that the relationship started to weaken after both leaders left office, with incidents leading to the relocation of many South African businesses in Nigeria back to South Africa.

He stated that the strained relationship between both countries is currently affecting Nigerians who are regularly denied visas to travel to South Africa.

When asked if e-Visa would be discussed at the meeting in a way that would allow Nigerians to get visa-on-arrival in South Africa, Manta answered in the affirmative, explaining that several other issues, including trade relationships and cross-border financial transactions, would be addressed at the meeting.

Additionally, Deputy Minister Mashego Dlamini of DIRCO in the Republic of South Africa confirmed the November Bi-National Commission meeting. She stated that it would provide an opportunity for both the Nigerian and South African presidents to discuss bilateral trade relationships and enter into agreements that will further strengthen the relationship between both countries.

She emphasized that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA) would also be examined to enable small businesses to thrive in Africa.

She urged African journalists to support the African agenda in their reports for peace, security, and unity on the African continent.

She said, “South Africa values the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, and we are committed to building relations and strengthening cooperation with African countries and other countries of the world. We consider African countries as strategic in developing the African continent for several reasons.

“For us, Nigeria is a strategic partner in pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and development of the African continent. Africa, as a continent, suffers when the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa is not balanced. One of the key pillars of South Africa’s foreign policy is the consolidation and implementation of the African agenda.

“This means that South Africa will continue to support regional integration, and intra-Africa trade and support people-to-people progression, in 2015, the African Union adopted the African Agenda 2063, which intends to build Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values, and ethics and respect for religious diversities.”