Brazilian President Lula da Silva has announced plans for two trips to Africa, aiming to strengthen political and economic ties with the continent.
The visits, scheduled to begin in August, will cover eight African countries, including Angola, Mozambique, Senegal, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sao Tomé & Principe.
President Lula’s first tour is expected to coincide with the BRICS Summit in South Africa, while the second visit may take place during the African Union Summit in February 2024.
These trips reflect Brazil’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation and its South-South integration strategy.
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In addition to the visits, Brazil is planning to reopen its embassy in Sierra Leone and establish diplomatic representation in Rwanda, further emphasizing its desire to expand economic cooperation with Africa.
During Lula’s previous terms in office, Brazil significantly enhanced its relations with the continent, resulting in a sevenfold increase in trade over a decade, from $4.2 billion in 2002 to $28.4 billion in 2012.
However, this positive momentum was disrupted by the economic and political crisis that hit Brazil in 2014, leading to a decline in trade between the two parties.
In 2022, trade between Brazil and Africa stood at $21.3 billion, essentially the same level as in 2010. President Lula’s upcoming visits aim to revitalize and strengthen these economic ties, reaffirming Brazil’s commitment to African nations and its aspirations for mutual growth and cooperation.
