Dailyreport
Nigeria is willing to broaden its strategic cooperation with South Africa in a number of areas, especially in mining infrastructure development and capacity building, said Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on Monday.Nigeria and South Africa will increase their cooperation
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that Nigeria will submit a draft Memorandum of Understanding, or MoU, for cooperation with South on the certification of Nigerian mining geologists and other experts in the field at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, or BNC, ministerial session in Cape Town.
The meeting is a prelude to Tuesday’s presidential BNC, where President Bola Tinubu and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, will jointly lead discussion. It is co-chaired by Dr. Roland Lamola, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
“I must emphasise that Nigeria is ready to explore new vistas of cooperation with the Republic of South Africa in various fields,” the Nigerian minister stated.
In addition to looking into ways to jointly finance infrastructure projects that could boost both of our economies, we are looking to work with South Africa to build capacity in the area of certifying Nigerian mining geologists and other experts in that industry.
In order to do this, we have created a draft MOU for review by South Africa.
“We anticipate that the advantages of this arrangement will contribute to the improvement of our mining professionals’ ability to compete globally.”
For More News Visit Us; Daily Pulse Report
The ministerial session will approve the working group minutes on theme areas and a draft communique that will be approved by the BNC at the presidential level.
Trade and investment, political consultations, consular and migration issues, defence and security cooperation, and cooperation in the banking, energy, manufacturing, and social sectors are among the main topics being discussed.
In addition to highlighting the vital nature of the bilateral relations between South Africa and Nigeria and their shared belief in their shared destiny as the continent’s leading economies, she urged the delegates to the meeting to remain positive until the completion of the process.
“We have a lot more miles to go, and the BNC owes a lot of promises for the future off Nigeria, South Africa relations,” she said. So let’s attack it with faith and zeal.
Together, we will triumph for Africa and our own nations. I’m excited to collaborate with Honourable Lamola, my co-chair, to ensure that today’s proceedings and those of our principles be a huge success.
The Ministers of State, Defence, Women’s Affairs, Industry, Trade, and Investments, Agriculture and Food Security, Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, as well as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service, are part of Nigeria’s delegation to the ministerial meeting.
Senior government officials from both countries, as well as their colleagues from South Africa, accompanied them.
The structure created to improve relations between Africa’s two largest economies is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with the Bi-National Commission.
Following decades of Nigeria’s unwavering support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation highlighted the two nations’ strong 30-year-old diplomatic ties.
“This is a gesture we will always cherish,” he remarked.
The minister urged the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to expand trade links in order to take advantage of the economic potential.
Even though we have made strides towards our goals, it is clear that we still have more work to do in order to achieve them for the benefit of both countries. Increasing our trade and investment relations to a higher level is one of the most important requirements of our bilateral relations.
The structure created to improve relations between Africa’s two largest economies is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with the Bi-National Commission.
Following decades of Nigeria’s unwavering support for South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation highlighted the two nations’ strong 30-year-old diplomatic ties.
“This is a gesture we will always cherish,” he remarked.
The minister urged the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to expand trade links in order to take advantage of the economic potential.
Although we have made strides towards our goals, it is clear that we still have more work to do in order to achieve them for the benefit of both countries. Increasing our trade and investment relations to new heights is one of the most important requirements of our bilateral relations.
Given the scale of our economy, it makes sense that our economic cooperation should be producing much greater outcomes in order to stimulate economic cooperation and expand on the existing sectors that both of our investors have in our markets.
“One of the main priorities we should jointly pursue is the identification of bankable projects, particularly in infrastructure development,” he stated.
Lamola expressed worry over regional crises and the need for reform of international organisations like the United Nations, acknowledging both countries’ historical duty to advance peace and discussion on a global scale.
The minister promised that South Africa’s 2025 G20 chairmanship would be a platform for showcasing African developmental priorities.
