Unpacking the South Africa-Nigeria relationship ahead of the AU Summit

The document analyzes the complex relationship between South Africa and Nigeria, noting that while trade grew significantly between 1999 and 2008, diplomatic tensions persist over regional issues and AU leadership. It argues that the two nations share similar domestic challenges and regional influence, suggesting that institutionalizing their cooperation through the Bilateral National Commission (BNC) is essential for strengthening Africa's global voice.

• Bilateral trade between South Africa and Nigeria experienced substantial growth from 1999 to 2008, with total trade increasing from R 174 million to R 22.8 billion. By 2008, this trade accounted for nearly 25% of South Africa's total continental trade. South African exports primarily include vehicles, aircraft, vessels, foodstuffs, chemical products, wood pulp, and machinery, while imports from Nigeria consist of mineral and plastic products, machinery, and footwear.
• Despite economic cooperation, South Africa and Nigeria have faced diplomatic friction and regional disagreements, including a 'diplomatic spat' over deportations in March 2012. They have also diverged on regional crises, specifically regarding the 2010 electoral crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and the situation in Libya, leading to tensions within the AU Peace and Security Council.
• The document argues that the relationship has historically relied too heavily on the personal rapport between leaders, such as Obasanjo and Mbeki, who collaborated on peacekeeping and the 'African Renaissance' via NEPAD. There is an urgent need to institutionalize the relationship through the Bilateral National Commission (BNC) to ensure stability beyond individual personalities, noting that the first BNC meeting in four years took place in Cape Town on 22-23 May 2012.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2012). Unpacking the South Africa-Nigeria relationship ahead of the AU Summit. https://saiia.org.za/research/unpacking-the-south-africa-nigeria-relationship-ahead-of-the-au-summit/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Unpacking the South Africa-Nigeria relationship ahead of the AU Summit. 2012. https://saiia.org.za/research/unpacking-the-south-africa-nigeria-relationship-ahead-of-the-au-summit/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Unpacking the South Africa-Nigeria relationship ahead of the AU Summit |date=12 July 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/unpacking-the-south-africa-nigeria-relationship-ahead-of-the-au-summit/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2012unpacking, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Unpacking the South Africa-Nigeria relationship ahead of the AU Summit}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = jul, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/unpacking-the-south-africa-nigeria-relationship-ahead-of-the-au-summit/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }