Johannesburg – South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Nigeria ahead of the inauguration of President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, (29 May 2023).
President Ramaphosa arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday, where he was received by SA International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr. Naledi Pandor, SA High Commissioner to Nigeria Ambassador Thami Mseleku and Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Police Affairs Abel Enitan.
South Africa and Nigeria maintain a strategic partnership in pursuit of strengthened bilateral cooperation and towards the fostering of peace, stability, and economic development on the continent.
“While in Abuja, President Ramaphosa will attend the inauguration gala dinner hosted by President Muhammadu Buhari, outgoing president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in honour of Heads of State and Government attending the inauguration,” said Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to President Ramaphosa.
“President Ramaphosa is also expected to attend the luncheon hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after his inauguration in honour of Heads of State and Government and other invited guests attending the inauguration.”
Magwenya said South Africa and Nigeria share a common vision on issues of political and economic integration in Africa, the need for sustainable conflict resolution and the need for the reform of multilateral institutions, especially the United Nations Security Council.
“South Africa and Nigeria are engaged in growing economic cooperation, as evidenced by increasing trade and mutual investments,” Magwenya said.
“South Africa and Nigeria account for approximately a third of Africa’s economic output, with each accounting for 60% – 70% of the economies in their sub-regions.”