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President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Tuesday, 30 November 2021, departed South Africa for the Federal Republic of Nigeria commencing his week-long, four-nation visit to the Western Africa region. 

The President will visit Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Senegal.  The visit, which concludes on 7 December, serves to reinforce South Africa’s bilateral relations with the countries concerned and to strengthen partnerships directed at African development and cooperation in multilateral forums.

During this visit South Africa and the partner states will explore ways to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area for mutual benefit and with greater support for businesses conducting intra-African trade and investment.

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by a delegation of Ministers and business leaders in view of growing economic relations and people-to-people interaction between South Africa and these West African countries.

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

On 30 November and 1 December President Ramaphosa will visit the Federal Republic of Nigeria for a State Visit at the invitation of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The State Visit to the Federal Republic of Nigeria will coincide with the 10th Session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) and will reflect on progress made in advancing trade and investment between the two countries.

The BNC is the highest structured bilateral mechanism between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa.

The 10th Session will allow the presidents to review progress made in the implementation of decisions and agree on new programmes to be implemented by the respective governments. 

It is expected that five new agreements and Memoranda of Understanding will be concluded by the respective Ministers.

REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE

President Ramaphosa will visit the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on 2 and 3 December 2021, where he will be hosted on a State Visit at the invitation of His Excellency President Alassane Dramane Ouattara.

The State Visit is significant and historic given that it is the first since diplomatic relations between South Africa and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire were established in May 1992.

In the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, President Ramaphosa will also address the opening session of the Africa Investment Forum, jointly organised by the Government of Cote d’Ivoire and the African Development Bank, under the theme: “Accelerating Transformative Investment in Africa”. 

REPUBLIC OF GHANA

On conclusion of his visit to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, President Ramaphosa will proceed to the Republic of Ghana from 4 to 5 December 2021, where he will be hosted on a State Visit by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. 

The visit to the Republic of Ghana will culminate in an inaugural session of the Bi-National Commission.

The bilateral relations between South Africa and Ghana have grown signficantly over the years. 

Underlining these strong relations is the elevation of structured bilateral relations from a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) to a Bi-National Commission, to be chaired by the Heads of State.  

REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL

The four-nation West Africa regional visit will conclude in the Republic of Senegal where President Ramaphosa will be on an official visit from 6 to 7 December 2021.

President Ramaphosa will on 6 December participate in the Dakar Peace and Security Forum.

On 7 December 2021, President Ramaphosa will together with his delegation of Ministers, engage in an Official Visit programme between South Africa and Senegal.

South Africa and Senegal already enjoy cordial bilateral political, economic and social relations underpinned by strong historical ties dating back to the years of the liberation struggle.

A number of agreements will be signed between South Africa and Senegal during this visit, which will include an agreement to elevate the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation from Ministerial level to Presidential level. This will allow for the further consolidation of ties between the two countries.

All COVID-19 health protocols will be observed throughout the West African visit. This will include regular PCR testing of delegates.

Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Presidency