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

1

SOUTH AFRICA’S STRUCTURED COMMISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA’S STRUCTURED COMMISSIONS IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAWEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

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

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

Federal Republic of NIGERIAFederal 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

Federal Republic of NIGERIAFederal 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

Federal Republic of NIGERIAFederal 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

Federal Republic of NIGERIAFederal 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

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

Federal Republic of NIGERIAFederal Republic of NIGERIA

• Way Forward on SA - Nigeria BNC- Ratification of all outstanding Agreements- Implementation of decisions of 6th session & the SIC

meeting decisions (05-06 May 2005)- Preparations for the 7th session of BNC- Appointment of Lead Departments- Restructuring of BNC Committees (Security Working

Group)- Streamlining communication between

Departments/Stakeholders,Desk,Mission.

10

Republic of GHANARepublic 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

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

Republic of GHANARepublic 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

Republic of SENEGALRepublic 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

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

Republic of SENEGALRepublic 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

Republic of MALIRepublic 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

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

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

Republic of MALIRepublic of MALI

• Way Forward on SA-Mali JCC- Preparation for 2nd session of JCC in Bamako during 2006- Implementation of decision taken and commitments made

during the August 2004 1st session.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Democratic Republic ofSAO 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

Democratic Republic ofSAO 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

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

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

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

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.