Brazil is seeking to deepen economic engagement with Africa as both sides look to expand cooperation in agriculture, renewable energy, critical minerals and industrialisation. With bilateral trade surpassing US$34 billion in 2024, leaders and business executives say stronger partnerships could unlock new investment opportunities and accelerate sustainable development across both regions.
As Africa pursues industrialisation and economic diversification, Brazil is positioning itself as a strategic partner by sharing expertise in agriculture, renewable energy and natural resource development. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), bringing together 54 countries, a market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of US$3.4 trillion, is expected to create new opportunities for Brazilian investors while strengthening Africa’s position as a global investment destination. Brazil also sees Africa as a key partner in critical minerals, food production and energy, sectors considered central to future economic growth.
“What we have in front of us is a great opportunity for the continent. If you look back to Brazil, for instance, as a corporation, Brazil became a big producer of food, of crops, but in the past 40 years Brazil was an importer of food. Also for the minerals, Brazil now is developing a good strategy of bringing the raw material into benefit to the society. If we go to Africa, is it possible to do the same thing, to deploy some strategy in the African continent? My answer is very easy, yes. So we have a good space for business, for cooperation in the African continent”.
João Bosco Monte, President and Founder, Brazil Africa Institute – Brazil
Agriculture remains one of the strongest pillars of cooperation. According to the African Development Bank, Africa holds about 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, while Brazil has become one of the world’s leading agricultural exporters through investments in technology, research and productivity. Business executives say greater collaboration could help improve food security, increase value addition and strengthen regional value chains.
“Brazil now with this moment, it’s facing a great moment of interaction. And I do see that the African continent can find in Brazil a great moment of engagement. And Brazil can also be the gateway for South America. We have MERCOSUR,, we have the free trade zone in Africa. This could be also a moment of engagement and I do see uh a uh moment in our hands that we can transform opportunities into something tangible for the benefit of the countries”.
João Bosco Monte, President and Founder, Brazil Africa Institute – Brazil
As Africa and Brazil deepen their engagement, both sides are looking beyond traditional trade toward greater investment, technology transfer and value addition, positioning the partnership as a driver of industrialisation, sustainable growth and South-South cooperation.
