Brazil takes business mission to Southern Africa to expand trade and investment, with a new ApexBrasil office planned in Addis Ababa, reports Africa Daily News Desk
Brazil is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic and commercial ties with Africa through a business mission to Southern Africa from August 26 to September 2.
The initiative aims to expand trade, attract investment and increase the presence of Brazilian companies in strategic African markets, according to Brasil 247.
Organised by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the mission will feature business seminars, matchmaking meetings, institutional visits and participation in the Maputo International Fair (FACIM 2026), where Brazil will be the Guest Country of Honour.
The delegation is scheduled to visit Johannesburg in South Africa, Lusaka in Zambia and Maputo in Mozambique before concluding its programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
ApexBrasil is also set to inaugurate a new international office in Addis Ababa, strengthening its institutional and commercial presence on the African continent.
The mission forms part of Brazil’s broader effort since 2023 to revive and deepen relations with African countries. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s visit to Angola that year marked renewed diplomatic and economic engagement, followed by trade missions, bilateral forums and participation in business events across Africa.
Brazil views the continent as a significant growth market. Africa has a population of around 1.5 billion people, a figure projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.
Bilateral trade between Brazil and African countries currently stands at approximately $23.7 billion. ApexBrasil has identified 5,309 potential export opportunities across African markets, according to the report.
Nearly 3,000 of those opportunities are linked to machinery and equipment, chemicals and manufactured products, highlighting Brazil’s interest in expanding beyond traditional commodity exports.
ApexBrasil currently maintains 20 sectoral projects covering 16 priority African countries. The projects focus on industries including agribusiness, food and beverages, machinery, equipment and healthcare.
Agricultural commodities remain an important component of Brazil’s exports to Africa. These include sugar, corn, soybeans, poultry, beef and iron ore.
However, Brazilian authorities are also seeking to increase exports of higher-value manufactured and industrial products. These include generators, electric motors, auto parts, medicines, specialised machinery and paper products.
The expansion of trade is intended to be reciprocal. Brazil also imports strategic commodities from African countries, including fertilisers and oil, which are important to its agricultural and industrial sectors.
The latest business mission is intended to connect Brazilian companies with governments and local businesses, with the aim of turning identified commercial opportunities into longer-term partnerships.
The programme also builds on ApexBrasil’s existing engagement across African markets and its network of institutional partners.
The agency’s planned office in Addis Ababa is expected to provide an additional base for strengthening commercial links and supporting Brazilian businesses seeking opportunities in African markets.
Brazil’s renewed focus on Africa also reflects its wider approach to South-South cooperation, combining diplomatic engagement with trade and investment promotion.
The mission comes as Brazil seeks to broaden its international commercial relationships and create new markets for its companies and products.
By combining government-level engagement with business matchmaking and sector-specific initiatives, Brazilian authorities are seeking to strengthen trade links while encouraging investment partnerships across the continent.
