Ethio-Brazil Economic Cooperation Forum

Описание: Ethiopia and Brazil Launch a New Era of Strategic Economic Partnership
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – February 2026

Addis Ababa served as the dynamic epicenter for a landmark stride in South-South cooperation, hosting a monumental high-level government and business delegation from the Federative Republic of Brazil. From February 5-8, 2026, the largest ever business delegation led by ApexBrasil President Senator Jorge Viana and comprising senior officials and over 70 of Brazil’s foremost corporate leaders engaged in a series of transformative discussions. This visit marked the successful translation into action of the commitment made between H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and H.E. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the BRICS Summit in July 2025 to strengthen bilateral economic ties.

The visit seamlessly converted high-level political resolve into a blueprint for deep economic integration.
In his keynote address, H.E. Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Dr. Kassahun Gofe, framed the moment’s significance: “As we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, this forum is a launchpad for our shared future. It is time to finalize deals, break ground on joint ventures, and build the legacy for the next 75 years.”

Echoing this vision, H.E. Ambassador Meles Alem (Dr.), Director-General for European and American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, drew powerful symbolic connections. He highlighted the natural synergy between Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, and Brazil, its largest global producer, as a metaphor for broader knowledge and technology exchange and underscored strategic complementarities in environmental science and agro-industrial development.

The high-level dialogue yielded immediate, substantive outcomes that provide a structured path for collaboration:
• Investment and Trade MoU: A foundational Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), led by Commissioner Dr. Zeleke Temesgen, and ApexBrasil. This pact establishes a formal framework for joint promotion, knowledge exchange, and business linkages, supported by a dedicated Joint Working Group. The agreement will provide Brazilian entrepreneurs with greater institutional security and facilitated access to the Ethiopian market.
• Agricultural Cooperation Agreement: Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock signed an agreement to deepen collaboration, with an initial focus on livestock development and technology transfer.
• Private Sector Catalyst: In a significant development for Ethiopia’s iconic coffee sector, Kerchanshe Group entered into a technical cooperation agreement with EMBRAPA, the world-renowned Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, to enhance coffee development and quality.

In a move rich with strategic intent, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) and EMBRAPA have officially inaugurated their new African regional office in Addis Ababa. The new office represents a powerful signal of Brazil's renewed engagement with Ethiopia and is set to deepen bilateral collaboration, with a strong focus on agriculture.
Welcoming the initiative, Dr. Meles Mekonnen, State Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that Ethiopia and Brazil share the conviction that agriculture is the backbone of national development. He added that for both nations, agriculture is not merely an economic sector but a strategic pillar for food and nutrition security, job creation, poverty reduction, climate resilience, and industrialization.

H.E. Ambassador Jandyr Ferreira dos Santos, Ambassador of Brazil to Ethiopia, emphasized that this hub will coordinate technical cooperation projects across the continent in agriculture, health, and education.
The President of ApexBrasil, Senator Jorge Viana, announced plans to further expand this institutional footprint: "We are working to soon establish four ApexBrasil reference centers in Africa, following a strategy of re-engagement, as advocated by President Lula. This will allow for more efficient, personalized, and closer engagement with the business community."

Synergy beyond Borders: A Multilateral Perspective
The partnership was consistently viewed through a wider strategic lens. The collaborative spirit of BRICS and the unprecedented opportunity of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) were highlighted as key accelerators. Ethiopian officials, including Director-General Ambassador Meles Alem (Dr.), positioned the country as a strategic gateway for Brazilian investors to access the continental market.

This historic week, which facilitated over 300 B2B meetings, has decisively elevated the Ethiopia-Brazil relationship. The seeds of cooperation sown in Addis Ababa are now poised to flourish into a robust and enduring economic partnership, firmly rooted in the principles of South-South cooperation and a shared vision for a transformative future.