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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and South Africa have restated their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through deeper cooperation in trade, investment, defence, energy, and cultural exchange.

Both countries made this pledge during a high-level political consultation held in Abuja on 21 October 2025.

The meeting, which marked the inaugural session under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations, was co-chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka.

The consultations were held within the framework of the Bi-National Commission (BNC), which serves as the highest bilateral mechanism between the two nations. The discussions focused on strengthening the longstanding friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between both countries, in line with the directives of Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Cyril Ramaphosa.

Both delegations engaged in extensive discussions on political, economic, and social developments within their countries, across Africa, and globally. The meeting provided a platform to review progress on previously agreed commitments and to address areas that require renewed attention.

According to the communiqué, the two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism, pledging continued cooperation within the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), and other international organisations. Both nations also agreed to support each other’s candidatures in multilateral institutions and to jointly advance African positions on global issues.

Among the highlights of the meeting was the review of progress made in key bilateral agreements. The parties noted the April 2025 visit of South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, to Abuja, during which he signed a partnership agreement with Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake. The agreement aims to boost investment, share knowledge, and promote technology transfer between the two countries’ mining sectors.

On visa liberalisation, both sides agreed to fast-track simplified visa procedures for businesspersons to ease mobility and enhance trade.

The communiqué also emphasised the strength of cultural collaboration, noting the ongoing Nigeria–South Africa Audio-Visual Cooperation Agreement, which facilitates co-productions, skills transfer, and investment in the film industry.

In the transport sector, the meeting expressed satisfaction with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2025 between South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) and Nigeria’s Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

However, the two sides also acknowledged delays in finalising the MoU on Standards and Standardisation between Nigeria’s Standards Organisation (SON) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). It was noted that the document remains under review by Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice, prompting South Africa to express concern over the delay through diplomatic channels.

The communiqué further revealed that the two countries plan to operationalise the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (JMACITI) before the end of 2025 to accelerate economic cooperation and resolve market access challenges.

Both nations welcomed the conclusion of the MoU on the Early Warning Mechanism, describing it as a vital tool for addressing consular and migration issues. They agreed that the 3rd Consular and Migration Forum (CMF) should take place in Pretoria during the first quarter of 2026 to review progress in these areas.

In defence and security, the meeting commended the work of the Defence and Security Working Group, which convened the 6th Session of the Defence Committee (DEFCOM) in Abuja in September 2025 to assess progress on BNC decisions. Other working groups were encouraged to intensify their efforts to ensure timely delivery of all agreed commitments.

To ensure effective follow-up, both parties announced the establishment of a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), which will serve as a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for all bilateral commitments. The JIC will meet quarterly, primarily through virtual sessions, to track implementation of decisions taken during the last two BNCs and the current consultations.

The two countries also expressed strong support for the upcoming G20 Africa Outreach Meeting on Industrialisation and Agriculture, scheduled to take place in Abuja on 3 November 2025, describing it as an opportunity to amplify Africa’s voice in global economic discussions.

Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian government, commended the South African delegation for its commitment and constructive engagement during the talks, which she said led to “fruitful and forward-looking outcomes.”

Both parties agreed to hold the next round of political consultations in 2026, preceded by a mid-term review meeting, with dates to be determined through diplomatic channels.

The Abuja meeting underscored the shared resolve of Nigeria and South Africa to deepen collaboration, promote regional stability, and advance Africa’s collective development agenda through mutual respect, partnership, and strategic engagement.