President Jacob Zuma arrived in Abuja, Nigeria on Monday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidency said.
Zuma is accompanied by at least six members of his cabinet and “is expected to address the Joint Session of the National Assembly of Nigeria‚ and will together with President Buhari address the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum”.
South Africa and Nigeria had good bilateral political, economic and social relations with strong historical ties dating back to the liberation struggle, spokesperson Bongani Majola said in a statement.
“With its large population and vast natural resources, especially oil and gas, 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,” he said.
A Bi-National Commission was established in 1999 and the two countries have since signed 34 bilateral agreements, including memoranda of understanding, covering a wide range of areas.
These included trade and investment, science and technology, immigration and consular matters, defence, agriculture, the environment, energy, as well as arts and culture, Majola said.
Over 120 South African companies are doing business in Nigeria in various sectors such as telecommunications, aviation, tourism, banking, property, retail, entertainment and the fast food industries.
Zuma was accompanied on the trip by Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies; Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba, Minister of Energy Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane.
A South African business delegation was also on the visit.
