President Ramaphosa to host President of Nigeria for a State Visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Mr Muhammadu Buhari, for a State Visit on Thursday, 03 October 2019. 

This will be first incoming State Visit to be hosted by South Africa under the sixth administration.

South Africa and Nigeria share sound political, economic and social relations that were formally established in 1994, immediately after South Africa’s first democratic elections. 

Formal relations have been conducted through a Bi-National Commission (BNC), established in 1999 as a structured bilateral mechanism to provide for political, economic, social, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation.

The State Visit will also mark the 20th anniversary of the BNC which was elevated in 2016 to be presided over at Heads of State level.

The BNC has over the years recorded remarkable achievements, and provides a useful platform for enhancing bilateral relations, notably on the economic front.

There are more than thirty (30) agreements which have been negotiated and signed since the establishment of the BNC, and which are at different stages of implementation. These include the Bilateral Trade Agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Economic and Technical Cooperation and an Agreement on Cooperation in Defence.

There is a significant footprint of South African companies currently doing business in Nigeria in various sectors, mainly in telecommunications, banking, retail, hospitality, mining, tourism, agriculture and construction and tourism. 

The total value of trade between South Africa and Nigeria amounted to R50.8 billion in 2018. The major South African products exported to Nigeria include machinery and mechanical appliances; mineral products, and chemical Products.

Major products imported from Nigeria include mineral products, products of the chemicals or allied industries, base metals & articles, plastics & articles (rubber), vegetable products, machinery & mechanical appliances, etc.

One of the main features of the visit will be a Joint Business Forum with a focus on trade and investment.

The State Visit will not only provide an opportunity for the two Presidents to strengthen and deepen political, economic, social and cultural relations between the two countries, but will also create space for deliberations on issues of mutual interest and concern pertaining to the continent and global governance.

President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Ministers of International Relations & Cooperation; Defence & Military Veterans; Minerals & Energy; Trade & Industry; Police; State Security and Home Affairs.

Media is invited as follows:

Welcome Ceremony
Venue: Amphitheater, Union Buildings, Pretoria
Time: 08:00

Media briefing 
Venue: Media Centre, Union Buildings, Pretoria
Time: 12:00

South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum
Venue: Hall 5, Gallagher Convention Centre
Time: 15:00

Media interested in covering the State Visit are requested to send their details (names and surname, ID or passport number and media house) to Tsakane Khambane on 082 084 5566 or tsakane@presidency.gov.za by no later than 16:00 on Tuesday, 1 October 2019


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President on 072 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria