1. 1 SOUTH AFRICA’S STRUCTURED COMMISSIONS IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

2. 2 WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA Regional responsibility: –Cape Verde, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Gabon and Sao Tome & Principe.

3. 3 REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS : Undergoing political transition. Developing democratic institutions. Grappling with national unity, reconciliation. Embarking upon programmes of economic reform and liberalisation. Engaged in process to diversify economy. Face major social development challenges particularly with regards to health and education, poverty and underdevelopment.

4. 4 Federal Republic of NIGERIA The South Africa - Nigeria BNC is the flagship of South Africa’s constructive engagement with both Nigeria & the West African region. SA established a Bi-National Commission with the Federal Republic of Nigeria in October 1999. The SA-Nigeria BNC is at Deputy Presidential / Vice Presidential level.

5. 5 Federal Republic of NIGERIA The BNC sessions are convened annually. Nigeria is South Africa’s strategic partner in the West Africa region and the continent in the pursuance of the objectives of the African Agenda and South – South Co-operation. The BNC is structured utilising different Working Groups that are sector specific. Working Groups have been constituted as follows:

6. 6 Federal Republic of NIGERIA –Trade, Industry & Finance –Minerals & Energy Working Group –Agriculture, Water Resources & the Environment Working Group –Foreign Affairs & Co-operation Working Group –Committee on Defence (Due to be upgraded to a Security Working Group at the forthcoming 7th session of the BNC) –Sub-committee on Immigration, Justice and Anti-crime –Social & Technical Working Group –Public Enterprises and Infrastructure Working Group The BNC is also comprised of a Special Implementation Committee which assesses the implementation of agreed upon projects, challenges with regard to implementation and gives advice to WG’s.

7. 7 Federal Republic of NIGERIA The main objective of the Bi-national Commission is to lay a firm foundation for co-operation and partnership between both countries within the broader objectives the African Union. 20 Agreements have been signed by both countries with regard to the different areas of interest of the BNC structure.

8. 8 Federal Republic of NIGERIA Total trade (2004/05):Exports to Nigeria R2.9 billion, Imports to Nigeria R5 billion. Major transaction concluded by South African Companies includes MTN, SAA & NEW METRO, etc

9. 9 Federal Republic of NIGERIA Way Forward on SA - Nigeria BNC -Ratification of all outstanding Agreements -Implementation of decisions of 6 th session & the SIC meeting decisions (05-06 May 2005) -Preparations for the 7 th session of BNC -Appointment of Lead Departments -Restructuring of BNC Committees (Security Working Group) -Streamlining communication between Departments/Stakeholders,Desk,Mission.

10. 10 Republic of GHANA SA-Ghana Joint Commission of Co- operation: The SA - Ghana JCC is held at Foreign Minister level. The inaugural session is due to take place during the second half of 2005. Different Departments, especially DTI and the Minerals & Energy Department, will form working groups so as to enable SA to accomplish the objectives of the JCC.

11. 11 Republic of GHANA One of South Africa’s staunchest supporters in West Africa Strong supporter of NEPAD Many SA companies have opened offices. Merging of Anglogold and Ashanti Gold has created one of the largest gold mining companies in the world. SA exports to Ghana were R1,243 billion, while imports were R64 million during 2004. Ghana plays a strong supportive role in peace keeping and conflict resolution.

12. 12 Republic of GHANA Way Forward on SA - Ghana JCC Launch JCC in 2005 -Expand trade and investment -Finalise Cultural Cooperation Agreement -Explore cooperation in the Justice, Education and Tourism fields.

13. 13 Republic of SENEGAL The SA - Senegal JCBC is to be held at Foreign Minister level. The inaugural session is due to take place during the second half of 2005 in Pretoria. Different departments will form working groups so as to enable SA to accomplish the objectives of the JCBC.

14. 14 Republic of SENEGAL Following SAA’s unilateral cancellation in March 2003 of its joint venture with Nigeria Airways on the Johannesburg-New York route, the company relocated its stop-over point on that route from Lagos to Dakar. SAA currently has daily flights from Johannesburg to Dakar and three flights a week from Dakar to Johannesburg. During 2004 SA exports to Senegal stood at R211 million while imports were at a low R5 million

15. 15 Republic of SENEGAL Way Forward on SA - Senegal JCBC -Inaugural session of the JCBC to be held. -Focus on trade, investment, transport, public enterprises, immigration, education, culture, tourism, sport, gender issues.

16. 16 Republic of MALI SA-Mali JCC The SA - Mali JCC is held at Foreign Minister level. The second session of the JCC will be convened in Mali in 2006.

17. 17 Republic of MALI Two major South African gold mining companies are present in Mali, Anglogold and Rand gold Eskom Enterprises was successful in winning the international bid in July 2001 for the hydro-electrical generation project in Manantali. Manantali is a joint initiative between the governments of Mali who will receive 51% of the output, Senegal 34% and Mauritania 15%.

18. 18 Republic of MALI Spoornet has been approached by the Malian and Senegalese governments with regard to the possible purchase of second-hand locomotives and passenger cars to be used on the rehabilitated Dakar-Bamako railway line. South African exports to Mali totalled to R177,6 million in 2003 and imports stood at R6,8 million during the same year.

19. 19 Republic of MALI Way Forward on SA-Mali JCC -Preparation for 2 nd session of JCC in Bamako during 2006 -Implementation of decision taken and commitments made during the August 2004 1st session.

20. 20 Republic of GABON The SA - Gabon JCC is held at Foreign Minister level. The JCC was established by the General Co-operation Agreement that was signed between the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 26 November 2003. The inaugural session is due to take place during the last quarter of the year. Different Departments, especially DTI and the Minerals & Energy Department, will form working groups so as to enable SA to accomplish the objectives of the JCC.

21. 21 Republic of GABON Other Agreements signed with Gabon Agreement on Tourism Co-operation was also signed on 26 November 2003. The following Agreements were signed on 22 March 2005 during the visit by the Acting Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs Trade Avoidance of Double Taxation Regular Diplomatic Consultations

22. 22 Republic of GABON Importance of JCC with Gabon Gabon is an important political role-player in the Central African region. Immense business opportunities in Gabon for SA businesspeople and visa versa. SA imports from Gabon were R164,6 million, while exports to Gabon stood at R150,9 million during 2004.

23. 23 Republic of GABON Way forward for SA - Gabon JCC The inaugural session is due to take place during the last quarter of 2005. Increase volume of two way trade between the two countries. Implementation of existing commitments. These include: –Libreville Waterfront and Tourist Gateway Project –Housing project –Gold mining project –Manganese mining project

24. 24 Republic of CONGO The SA - ROC JCC is held at Foreign Minister level. Was established by the signing of General Co- operation Agreement between two Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 25 November 2003. The inaugural session is due to take place during the last quarter of the year. Different Departments will form working groups to enable both parties to achieve objectives of the JCC.

25. 25 Republic of CONGO Importance of SA - ROC JCC ROC is emerging from conflict. Opportunities exist to assist with the reconstruction and development of the country. This can provide many opportunities for SA businesspeople in the following sectors: –Mining –Oil –Agriculture –Transport Currently volumes of trade are low with SA importing goods to the value of R86 million and exporting goods worth R262 million during 2004.

26. 26 Republic of CONGO Way forward for SA - ROC JCC Signing of all outstanding agreements covering Trade, Investment, Taxation, Transport and Health. Prepare for President Mbeki’s State Visit in September 2005. Inauguration of JCC before the end of 2005.

27. 27 Republic of EQUATORIAL GUINEA SA - Equatorial Guinea JCC was established by the General Co-operation Agreement that was signed between the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 1 December 2003.

28. 28 Republic of EQUATORIAL GUINEA SA to host senior officials from Equatorial Guinea before the end of 2005 to discuss co-operation in the following areas: –Trade and Investment –Transport –Minerals and Energy –Health –Environmental Affairs and Tourism –Agriculture –Communications

29. 29 Republic of EQUATORIAL GUINEA Importance of relations with Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea is third largest oil producer in Africa. Apart from oil itself, there are many business opportunities related to the development of the oil industry. Volume of trade still very low: SA imports at R4,4 million, exports at R65,5 million during 2004. Way forward for SA - Equatorial Guinea JCC Host senior officials from Equatorial Guinea before the end of 2005.

30. 30 Democratic Republic of SAO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPÉ General Co-operation Agreement signed between two Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 9 April 2005. Agreement makes provision for regular consultations between senior officials.

31. 31 Democratic Republic of SAO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPÉ Importance of relations with Sao Tomé and Principé Sao Tomé and Principé has great potential as future oil producer. Also potential in area of tourism. Currently trade volumes are low: SA imports only R160 000 while exports are at R16,4 million.

32. 32 Democratic Republic of SAO TOMÉ AND PRINCIPÉ Way forward for relationship with Sao Tomé and Principé Arrange meeting between senior officials of two countries before end of 2005.

33. 33 Republic of CHAD SA and Chad signed a General Co-operation Agreement in December 2004. SA has placed an official in N’djamena to further bi- lateral relations, especially in terms of the Co- operation Agreement and with respect to involvement in the oil industry in Chad. SA expects to host Chadian officials over the next few months to begin the implementation of the Co- operation Agreement. Trade volumes also low: SA imports at R8 000, and exports at R18,9 million during 2004.

34. 34 Republic of CHAD Way forward with the Republic of Chad. There is much potential for future co-operation with Chad, especially in the fields of transport and communications. Chad to open an Embassy in South Africa in the near future.

35. 35 CHALLENGES Coordination at centre and with other spheres of government. Strengthening capacity of partner departments. Implementation of projects. Obtaining funding for projects. Streamlining of work of Commissions. Integration of work of Commissions in to Departmental programmes.