State House Press Release: President Jonathan Leads Economic And Investment Mission To South Africa, Namibia

In continuation of his efforts to promote rapid national economic  growth and development, President Goodluck Jonathan will lead key members of Nigeria’s Economic Management Team to this week’s World Economic Forum on Africa  in Cape Town where regional and global leaders will assemble  to brainstorm on new strategies for accelerating  economic diversification and the availability of essential infrastructure on the continent.

President Jonathan is scheduled to leave Abuja for Cape Town tomorrow and will, at the invitation of President Jacob Zuma, undertake a state visit to South Africa ahead of the opening of the World Economic Forum on Wednesday.

The Forum which has “Delivering on Africa’s Promise” as its theme is expected to provide a platform for African leaders in government, business and civil society and their counterparts from other regions of the world  to deepen the continent’s integration agenda and renew their commitment to a sustainable path of growth and development that will further unlock Africa’s potentials and talents.

President Jonathan and his delegation will also participate in the Grow Africa Investment Forum being jointly hosted in Cape Town by the African Union, the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) and the World Economic Forum to accelerate investments and transformative change in African agriculture based on national agricultural priorities, and in support of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme.

The President will, in the course of the state visit to South Africa, confer with President Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema  Mothlante and other South African Government officials on ways of improving trade and economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa.

He will also deliver an address to the South African Parliament, co-chair a meeting of the South Africa/Nigeria Business Forum with President Zuma and hold separate meetings with the Chairmen of the Management Boards of MTN, Toyota and Nissan in South Africa.

At the conclusion of his visit to South Africa on Thursday, President Jonathan will proceed to Namibia for a one-day state visit, talks with President Hifikepunye Pohamba and a meeting with the country’s business community.

The President will be accompanied on the trip by the Governors of Zamfara, Anambra and Bayelsa states, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Honourable Abubakar Momoh, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Jim Ovia, Chief Oba Otudeko and Mr. Tony Elumelu.

Several ministers including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Musa Mohammed Sada will also be on the presidential delegation.

He will return to Abuja on Friday, May 10, 2013.