By Mercy Peter
The Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.
The commitment was made at a Nigeria–South Africa Political Consultations held in Abuja on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
The high-level meeting, 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, served as a strategic platform to deepen cooperation between Africa’s two leading economies.
The consultations were held within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations, first signed during the 10th Session of the Nigeria–South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Abuja in 2021 and reinforced at the 11th Session in Cape Town in December 2024.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the consultations demonstrated the shared resolve of both nations to “revitalize existing partnerships and align diplomatic priorities towards Africa’s peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.”
During the meeting, the delegations held extensive discussions on political, economic, and social developments in both countries, as well as regional and continental issues.
They also exchanged views on promoting peace and security across West and Southern Africa and advancing the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral cooperation under the frameworks of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), pledging continued mutual support for each other’s candidatures at international organisations and collaboration on global issues of shared concern.
The consultations also reviewed progress made on the implementation of agreements reached during the 11th BNC in Cape Town, with particular emphasis on trade, investment, defence, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Key highlights included:The April 2025 partnership agreement between South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, and Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, aimed at boosting investment, knowledge-sharing, and technology transfer in the mineral sector.
Ongoing efforts to liberalize visa restrictions and streamline processes for businesspeople to promote trade and investment.
Strong cooperation in the creative industries, bolstered by the 2021 Audio-Visual Cooperation Agreement, which enables joint film production, skill transfer, and cultural exchange.
Progress in the aviation sector, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and South Africa’s Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) in Johannesburg on January 17, 2025.
However, both sides expressed concern over the delay in signing the MoU on Standards and Standardisation between the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
The South African side noted that the delay, now under review by Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice, has stalled progress, with a diplomatic note already sent to expedite the process.
The parties also underscored the need to convene the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (JMACITI) before the end of 2025 to finalize its Terms of Reference and strengthen market access mechanisms.
In the area of defence and security, the meeting commended the work of the Defence and Security Working Group, which held its sixth session of the Defence Committee (DEFCOM) in Abuja from September 1–5, 2025. The group reviewed the implementation of the 11th BNC decisions and called on other working groups to intensify their follow-up actions.
The establishment of a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) was also applauded as a key monitoring and evaluation mechanism to ensure the effective execution of all agreed decisions from past and future engagements.
The JIC is expected to meet quarterly, virtually, to track progress on BNC outcomes.
Both sides further welcomed the finalisation of the MoU on the Early Warning Mechanism, described as a transformative instrument for addressing migration and consular issues, facilitating the free movement of people and goods, and enhancing cultural and economic cooperation.
the delegations agreed that the 3rd Consular and Migration Forum (CMF) should be convened in Pretoria in the first quarter of 2026 to address pending migration and consular matters.
The Ministers also highlighted preparations for the G20 Africa Outreach Meeting on Industrialization and Agriculture, scheduled to hold in Abuja on November 3, 2025, which will amplify Africa’s perspectives on industrialization, sustainable agriculture, and value-chain development.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended Deputy Minister Moraka and her delegation for their “candour, dedication, and commitment to advancing the Nigeria–South Africa partnership.”
Both sides agreed that the next round of Political Consultations, preceded by a Mid-Term Review Meeting, would take place in Abuja in 2026, on dates to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.
